A pair of updates were provided with regards to Team Canada's roster for the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Thursday afternoon. According to a report from Michael Grange of Rogers Sportsnet, Raptors forward Chris Boucher has decided to withdraw from this summer's tournament for personal reasons. Miami Heat big man Kelly Olynyk, on the other hand, is going to play after taking a week to recover from a bruised knee:
So Chris Boucher is confirmed OUT for the @FIBAWC (personal reasons). Kelly Olynyk (bruised knee) will take a week off but will continue on to Worlds as planned.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) August 8, 2019
For a variety of reasons, several prominent NBA players have decided to forgo or withdraw from the 2019 FIBA World Cup. A number of Canadian players have withdrawn from the tournament, but Team USA has taken the brunt of the blow. Players not going to this year's tournament include: CJ McCollum, Damian Lillard, James Harden, Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis, No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, Bradley Beal, Tobias Harris, DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love.
Kelly Olynyk should provide a solid presence for Team Canada, so long as his bruise isn't serious. The Toronto native made 79 appearances with the Heat last season (36 starts), racking up averages of 10.0 points on 46.3 percent shooting from the field (35.4 percent from beyond the arc), 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.9 minutes per outing.
Team Canada's first matchup of the 2019 FIBA World Cup tournament comes against Australia on Sept. 1. Then the Canadian side will face Lithuania on Sept. 3.
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