PRELIMINARY ROSTER NAMED FOR MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM TRYOUT & TRAINING CAMP

TORONTO, ON (June 10, 2016) - Canada Basketball has announced a preliminary roster that will attend the 2016 national team tryout and training camp, tipping off today in Toronto, ON.

"We're looking forward to getting into the gym and preparing for competition," said Jay Triano, head coach. "We need to focus on the preparation – one practice at a time – and get ready for a tough tournament against some of the best in the world."

The group will participate in a 6-day training camp from June 10th -15th at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

"Given the time of year, player availability is always changing. We're continuing to talk to teams and players may become available as the summer progresses," said Steve Nash, general manager, men’s national team. "Playing for your country is an honour, we have a deep pool of talent who are committed to playing for Canada and we're ready to get to work."

They will then head to Italy on June 17th, where they will train and participate in a 5-game exhibition tournament against 12th-ranked Croatia, 14th-ranked China and 16th-ranked Puerto Rico. China qualified for the Games in 2015, and both Croatia and Puerto Rico will compete in OQTs in July. The group will then head to Manila from July 5th to 10th to compete for a berth at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The final 12-man OQT squad will be announced prior to competition. In Manila, Canada will play in Group A against 31st-ranked Senegal and 8th-ranked Turkey. The Philippines, France and New Zealand will play in Group B. Media accreditation for the OQT is open until June 24, 2016, details here.

Media are invited to post-practice scrums on the following dates, please RSVP at communications@basketball.ca. Practices will take place at the ACC Practice Facility (enter at Gate 2).

Saturday, June 11

Practice: 11:00AM-1:00PM

Gym Opens: 12:45PM

Scrums: 1:00PM

Monday, June 13

Practice: 11:00AM-1:00PM

Gym Opens: 12:45PM

Scrums: 1:00PM

Wednesday, June 15

Practice: 11:00AM-1:00PM

Gym Opens: 12:45PM

Scrums: 1:00PM

In 2015, Canada finished 2nd at the Pan American Games in Toronto and 3rd at FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico. A full list of athletes can be found below. For additional media requests please contact bwilliams@basketball.ca

TRAINING CAMP ATTENDEES

NAME POSITION HEIGHT HOMETOWN TEAM/SCHOOL Shai Alexander G 6'4 Hamilton, ON Hamilton Heights Christian Academy Joel Anthony F 6'9 Montreal, QC Detroit Pistons RJ Barrett G 6’7 Mississauga, ON Montverde Academy Anthony Bennett F 6’8 Toronto, ON Sim Bhullar F 7'5 Toronto, ON Raptors 905 Khem Birch F 6’9 Montreal, QC Usak Sportlif Dillon Brooks F 6'7 Mississauga, ON Oregon Ducks Chris Boucher F 6'10 Montreal, QC Oregon Ducks Jason Calliste G 6'2 Toronto, ON Barons Kvartals Riga Melvin Ejim F 6'6 Toronto, ON Reyer Venezia Tyler Ennis G 6'2 Brampton, ON Milwaukee Bucks Brady Heslip G 6'2 Burlington, ON Pallacanestro Cantu Tyson Hinz F 6’7 Ottawa, ON Landstede Basketball Cory Joseph G 6'3 Pickering, ON Toronto Raptors Corey Johnson G 6’5 Ottawa, ON Harvard University Owen Klassen F 6'10 Kingston, ON Phoenix Hagen Levon Kendall F 6'10 Vancouver, BC Movistar Estudiantes Naz Mirtou-Long G 6’4 Mississauga, ON Iowa St. Cyclones Dyshawn Pierre G 6'6 Whitby, ON Dayton Flyers Philip Scrubb G 6'3 Richmond, BC Fraport Skyliners Thomas Scrubb G 6'6 Richmond, BC Giessen 46ers Simisola Shittu F 6’9 Burlington, ON Montverde

2016 SUMMER SCHEDULE

DATE EVENT LOCATION June 10-16 Training Toronto, ON June 17-29 Training & Exhibition June 20: Game vs Croatia

June 23: Game vs Croatia

June 25: Game vs China

June 26: Game vs TBC

June 29: Game vs Puerto Rico Croatia & Italy July 5-10 Olympic Qualifying Tournament Manila, Philippines

For More Information & Media Requests, contact:

Bailey Williams, bwilliams@basketball.ca, 647.460.7976