New Sacramento Kings guard Cory Joseph is ecstatic about being included on Team Canada's roster and getting a chance to do his country proud.
Joseph spoke on playing for Canada and what it meant to him to wear his country's jersey.
“No. It doesn't get old. I'm getting a little older, but It doesn't get old,” Joseph said when asked if representing Canada is getting old for him, per Josh Lewenberg of The Sports Network. “It's an honour. I've been doing it for a long time to have a chance to make it to the Olympics, and we have another chance this summer.”
Joseph continued by explaining how much it would mean to him to help Canada make the Olympics, and how he was influenced by Canadian legends Steve Nash and Rowan Barrett.
“It would mean a lot,” the 27-year-old furthered. “When I was growing up I watched the last time they were in the Olympics (in 2000) with Nash & Rowan. That inspired me to play basketball & work on my game to hopefully be there. It would be a dream come true.”
The Canadian national team has not had much success at the Olympics historically. In 19 Summer Olympics, the team only won a medal once, earning a silver in 1936. However, they were ranked as high as 4th in the 1984 Olympics and 7th in 2000.
Joseph brings plenty of experience and talent to the team. He is an eight-year veteran and an NBA champion, having helped the San Antonio Spurs defeat the Miami Heat in the 2014 Finals.
The Kings guard is known to be a savvy distributor and a solid scorer, though he has played the role of a backup point guard for nearly every team he has been on. It looks like that role will continue with the Kings, as rising star De'Aaron Fox mans the starting PG spot.
Regardless, Joseph has a chance to help a talented Team Canada make a decent run in the FIBA World Cup and potentially accomplish his dream of playing in the Olympics in 2020.
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