It has been several years since Warriors wing Andrew Wiggins represented Team Canada in an international competition, but it appears that’s about to change. As Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweets, Wiggins posted a message on Instagram strongly suggesting that he’ll suit up for Canada when the team competes in the Olympic qualifiers this summer.
Eight of the 12 teams that will compete in the men’s basketball event at the Tokyo Olympics have clinched their spots, including Team USA. Twenty-four countries will compete in four separate tournaments from June 29 to July 4 for the final four Olympic berths. In order to qualify for the Tokyo games, Canada will have to top Greece, China, Uruguay, Turkey, and the Czech Republic.
While it certainly won’t be a cakewalk, Canada will benefit from home-court advantage – the tournament will take place in Victoria, British Columbia – and could deploy a roster featuring far more NBA players than their opponents. Wiggins, who averaged 18.6 points per game in 71 contests for Golden State this season, would be a key addition.
“I don’t think there’s any question about what he can bring,” Canada Basketball general manager Rowan Barrett said, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. “The versatility he has at 6’8″ with a tremendous wingspan and with the focus he has on defense now will help us. And as an offensive player, it’s clear. He’s got a career average of 20 points a game in the NBA. Clearly he can score the ball.”
Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- The Overtime Elite league has secured two more commitments from top high school prospects, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reports (via Twitter) that Florida twins Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson are signing two-year contracts with OTE. The Thompson twins rank 22nd and 23rd in ESPN’s list of top class-of-2022 recruits. Overtime’s first two commits were twin brothers Matt Bewley and Ryan Bewley.
- Speaking of high school basketball, Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi of ESPN report that several of the nation’s biggest high school powerhouses are forming an elite national league called the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference in advance of the 2021/22 season. Six programs – including Oak Hill, Montverde, and IMG Academy – have committed so far to the eight-team league that will feature a 10-game regular season and a postseason tournament, per ESPN’s duo.
- Former Celtics first-round pick Guerschon Yabusele is in advanced talks with Real Madrid, reports Lithuanian journalist Donatas Urbonas (via Twitter). If Yabusele doesn’t feel he has an NBA opportunity lined up, he’ll likely sign with Real Madrid, Urbonas adds.
Don’t care what anyone says or thinks, including Thibs. I would love to see Wiggins at the 3 in a Knicks uniform. He’d be motivated with RJ as his teammate . And the Garden would back him up and support him. Since he could put a sorely needed 20 a night. He’s become a better team player in GS. Love to have him especially cheap.
How bout them Clippers Al?
Can’t figure them the out man. This is why I don’t bet. If they lose to Mavs I break them up. Next day lol.
Knicks should be looking at PG right now or Kawhi. You know what I’m saying ……
Gunna set the “Wiggins to Raptors” rumors on fire, might as well get on top of it: Boucher, Siakam or VanVleet gotta be in the deal LOL
Yeah you wish. Siakam is actually a great fit for Warriors. It’s going to take more than Wiggins.
Siakim is over priced. They can get veterans for much cheaper.
The Warriors are not going to trade Wiggins…..he fits well with Curry, Thompson, Green, and Wiseman.
Warriors will do what they need to do. To field a contender next yr. New Arena and their window is closing. Picks this yr are not helping them. They need a bench and a good 2way player. Like Barnes would be a good fit here. They could getBarnes in a three way with Wiggins.
Why trade for Barnes? I don’t understand why people want to get rid of Wiggins?
And they will need to hold onto Wiggins because Klay won’t be back until a month or two into the season. Even then he won’t play more than 40 games.
Are you an Orthopedist? Have you examined Klay? How do you know how many games he will play next season?
Who says no…Wiggins and Wiseman for Siakam and Gary Trent jr.
The OTE league might soon be called the twin’s league!!!