JAKARTA, Indonesia (Aug. 28, 2023) – The stage is set for a pivotal Group H clash for Canada's Senior Men's National Team.

Who: Canada (3-0) vs. Brazil (2-1) 

When: Friday, Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT

Where: Indonesia Arena - Jakarta, Indonesia

Things to know heading into Friday’s game against Brazil

- Kicking off the second round: Friday’s match-up against Brazil will mark the start of the second round for Canada after the team finished atop the group standings in the group stage for the first time in program history. After going undefeated with a 3-0 record in Group H during the group stage, Canada has advanced to Group L for the second round where they will be joined by Spain (3-0), Brazil (2-1) and Latvia (2-1). After facing No. 15th ranked  Brazil on Friday, Canada will take on No. 1 ranked Spain on Sunday, Sept. 3. The top two teams from Group L will advance to the quarterfinals.

- Group Stage Dominance: Canada didn’t just finish in the top spot of Group H, the team dominated all the way through. Canada finished with a staggering +111 point differential over their three victories. As the team advances to the second round, results from the group stage will carry over.

- Checking out the competition: While Canada went undefeated in the group phase, Brazil earned its trip to the second round by posting a 2-1 record, earning victories against Iran (100-59) and Cote d’Ivoire (89-77), and falling against Spain (96-78). Raptors fans will quickly spot a familiar face as former Raptors draft pick Bruno Caboclo plays for Brazil and is leading the team in rebounds (8.7 per game), and is second in scoring with 14.3 points per game, behind leading scorer Yago Santos who is averaging 17.3 points per contest. Former Chicago Bulls big man Cristiano Felicio and former Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas are also on Brazil’s roster. At 40 years-old, Huertas is the oldest player on Brazil’s roster and this is his fifth World Cup.

Extra assists:

- Shai time: There have been plenty of expectations about the play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading into his first World Cup. The 25-year-old NBA superstar has exceeded all of them as he’s led Canada in a dominant showing through the first round. Gilgeous-Alexander finished the group stage averaging 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists – all team-best numbers – in just 25 minutes per game. Gilgeous-Alexander outscored France and Latvia by himself in pivotal third quarters as Canada took complete control and blew each game open in the group stage. Whenever Canada has needed a bucket, big play, or a steadying hand, Gilgeous-Alexander has been there.

“Shai is a very special player,” Team Canada head coach Jordi Fernández said. “These types of guys, they teach us coaches more than we can teach them. A lot of times I'm just happy to be in the front line and watch him perform. He has to score efficiently for us, he has to [be a playmaker] for us, he has to be a leader for us, and he has to defend for us and so far he’s done it. I’m going to keep him to that standard. He’s done it.”

- Everybody’s ready: While Gilgeous-Alexander has been sensational, Canada has had contributions from the entire roster in Jakarta as four players averaged double figures in the first round. After Gilgeous-Alexander’s 22.0 points per game, Kelly Olynyk averaged 15.0 points, RJ Barrett averaged 14.7 points and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 12.7 per game. Canada averaged 29 assists per game in the first round and set a record for most assists ever in a FIBA Men’s World Cup game with 44 assists on 50 field goals against Lebanon.

- Family affair: While Gilgeous-Alexander has been showing out, cousin Alexander-Walker has been equally impressive coming off the bench for Canada, hitting clutch shots from deep and leading the second unit. With the cousins both accomplishing their goal of making it to the NBA, getting this unique opportunity to share the court while wearing the red and white isn’t something either cousin is taking for granted.

After making history by becoming the first Canadian men's team to finish atop Group Phase, Alexander-Walker was taking in the moment. "It’s history, right,” he said. “To play for your country is one step. To represent it well is another. I’m grateful that God has given us this opportunity. Especially growing up together, wanting to do big things and actually accomplishing those things is another thing. Just taking a day to appreciate it, but the job is not done, you know. We didn’t come here just to win the group stage. We came here to win the World Cup. So that’s one step further, one step closer.”

- Where to watch: Fans in Canada can catch all of the action live on Sportsnet, as well as streaming on SN Now.