"It's definitely going to be crazy, I have a lot of people telling me they're going to be at the games," Bennett said with a wide smile. "I heard the arena (Ryerson University's Mattamy Athletic Centre) is already sold out, I just can't wait to get going.

"It's pretty fun, everybody takes a lot of pride in representing the country, just going out there and playing, stress-free, and just having fun and trying to win games."

Nash, who closed the book this year on his 18-year NBA career that included two MVP awards, looked more like a coach than the team's GM on Sunday.

Dressed in shorts and T-shirt, Nash worked one-on-one with players. His experience will be a huge boost to a team that is talented but young, and lacking international experience.

Bennett might be one of the team's three NBA players, but the Toronto native hasn't played for Canada since 2010, when a star-studded cadet squad that included Andrew Wiggins won bronze at the under-17 world championships.

"We're going to put out a talented team, but how much experience can they gain or overcome on the fly?" Nash said. "Because the international game, the environment, the conditions, those are the things our guys are going to be really far behind in."

Two nights earlier, Nash played a huge role in the opening ceremonies, taking the torch from Wiggins and lighting the Pan Am cauldron.

"It was amazing, that was special," said Nash.

It's proof that "the game is in a pretty special and unique place," right now in Canada.

Sim Bhullar is the team's third player with NBA experience, making history this past season as the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA.

Bhullar is a towering seven-foot-five centre, and Canadian coach Jay Triano said they'll try to capitalize on his size.

"There are big centres, then there are guys that are 7-5," Triano said. "I want to see somebody stop that guy when we put him underneath the basket. So we just need to figure out how to get him the ball underneath the basket, and have him finish it."

Carl English is the one player who missed practice Sunday. He's been unable to leave Newfoundland for the past two days due to fog.

The men don't play until July 21. They'll move into the athletes village next Saturday.

The women begin play on Thursday.

The Canadian Press