Rio Olympics: Denver Nuggets in Qualifying Tournaments
By Drew Albee
Jamal Murray wants to play for Canada, but will he?
The first of two additions to the Nuggets backcourt on draft night, Jamal Murray of Kitchener, Ontario, has voiced his desire to represent Canada this summer. In fact, Hoops Hype Canada tweeted Tuesday:
As much as general manager Tim Connelly and head coach Mike Malone want to keep the rookie Murray in Denver working with the Nuggets this summer, they have also backed the United Nations of Nuggets in their international endeavors in the past, so as long as his contract is set, I’d expect to see Murray representing the Canadian red and white later this summer.
If Murray joins the Canadian squad, he’ll join NBA players Cory Joseph, Tyler Ennis and newly minted NBA-champion and defensive anchor Tristan Thompson. Other notable NBA players Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Olynyk, Andrew Nicholson and Nik Stauskas will likely be absent, however.
As talented as Canada’s national program appears to be, their coming out party might have to wait until their roster isn’t filled with so many absences.
The Canadians are also in the Manila tournament with France and Turkey, so they will have to overcome a pair of higher-ranked teams in order to advance to Rio 2016. Canada’s first qualifier in Manila is Tuesday against Turkey.
Next: Who advances to the Olympics?