NBA

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019: Andrew Wiggins reportedly yet to commit to playing for Canada at World Cup

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Just a day after reports emerged that Andrew Wiggins had committed to play for Canada at the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the Timberwolves star is in fact yet to make a decision.

Per the Athletic:

There appears to be, at minimum, some miscommunication on that front. Wiggins has not committed to play internationally this summer, league sources told The Athletic on Tuesday. Wiggins has been spending his time working out and hanging out with his infant daughter and has had no conversations with the national team about playing.


Wiggins last played with the national team in 2015, however the Canadians still boast a ton of NBA talent including Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Los Angeles Clippers), Cory Joseph (Indiana Pacers), Kelly Olynyk (Miami Heat) as well as projected top 3 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, R.J. Barrett.

Canada have been drawn in Group H alongside Australia, Lithuania and Senegal. They'll kick off tournament play against Australia on September 1, followed by Lithuania on September 3, before closing out the group stage against Senegal on September 5.

Canada is reportedly set to be coached by Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse following their NBA championship victory.

The 32-team 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup competition will be held from 31 August - 15 September in China. Eight cities will host World Cup games - Beijing, Foshan, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Canada will play five games in Australia as warm-ups ahead of the World Cup.

International Basketball Series Schedule
Date Game Arena
August 16 Australian Boomers vs. Canada Basketball RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
August 17 Australian Boomers vs. Canada Basketball RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
August 20 Canada Basketball vs. New Zealand Tall Blacks Quaycentre, Sydney, Australia
August 21 Canada Basketball vs. New Zealand Tall Blacks Quaycentre, Sydney, Australia
August 22

USA Basketball vs. Australian Boomers

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
August 24

USA Basketball vs. Australian Boomers

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
August 26 USA Basketball vs. Canada Basketball

Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia

 
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Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.