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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets have committed to playing for Team Canada in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Via Twitter, Alexander announced the good news.
I've known and made a promise to myself that representing my country is something I will continue to do and as my bro @BeMore27 publicly announced his commitment, I too will be there to do my best to help @CanBball get to Tokyo!
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (@shaiglalex) November 27, 2019
Just a few hours before, Murray himself announced that he will represent Canada in the upcoming 2020 Olympics.
Playing for my country is always an honour and I want to take the step and leadership role to commit to @canadabasketball this summer. I want to play my part to help push our team into the Olympics and compete at the highest world stage. Let’s go Canada🇨🇦🇨🇦
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) November 26, 2019
Canada has yet to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. In the 2019 FIBA World Cup, only the top seven out of the 32 teams made their berth for Tokyo 2020. The Canadians fell short, but they still have a chance to qualify as they finished well enough to qualify for one of four FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournaments next June. It will be their final chance to qualify.
There will be four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments taking place from June 23-28, 2020. This will determine the final four countries that will participate in the 12-team Olympic basketball tournament in Tokyo.
The addition of Murray and Alexander will definitely boost Canada's chances. After all, Murray is already considered the one of the central key players of the Nuggets squad. He's not just a bona fide star yet but he's getting closer. Alexander, meanwhile, is one of the fastest rising stars of today. In the young 2019-20 season, analysts have been him at the top of the Most Improved Player race.
