The Canadian men's basketball team took its place on the international stage in 2023. Led by NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadians won their first-ever FIBA World Cup medal, defeating the United States for bronze in September, and qualified for next year's Summer Olympics in the process.
The squad, which has climbed to No. 6 in the FIBA world rankings from 15th, capped the season by being voted The Canadian Press team of the year. "I think that it speaks to the commitment of our players and the excellence of our players," general manager Rowan Barrett said. "We're a player-centric program, … everything starts with them and I think you don't achieve something like this without players that are brought in that love their country and that are going to lay it all on the line for their country. "I think what it ultimately says is that there's a system in place with everybody doing their jobs to help these players to go out and be brilliant on the court.
And I think it's something that our players will take tremendous pride in as well as everyone else involved. "But definitely our players will take tremendous pride in understanding that they're being recognized in their country for their sacrifice and their excellence." WATCH | Canadian men's team sets sights on Olympic podium: With a quarterfinal berth into the World Cup, Canada qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics — the first time the Canadian men will compete at a Summer Games since 2000.
The victory over the U.S. was also Canada's first time defeating the Americans at a World Cup, and the medal is Canada's first at either a World Cup or Olympic Games since claiming silver at the 1936 Berlin Games. "I think what it means for the country is, clearly, that we