Thompson, Murray headline Canada's training camp invitees for World Cup qualifiers

Eight current NBA players have been called up by Canada head coach Jay Triano for a June training camp ahead of a pair of FIBA World Cup qualifiers on the Canada Day long weekend.

Tristan Thompson, Jamal Murray, Dillon Brooks, Kelly Olynyk, Cory Joseph, Dwight Powell, Chris Boucher and Khem Birch are the players currently under contract with NBA teams who have been summoned to join Triano's 18-man roster in Richmond, B.C. for a two-day training camp before an exhibition game vs. China in Vancouver on June 22 and another exhibition in Victoria two days later.

"We're excited to continue the positive momentum that has been created through the first two windows as we look to take another step forward in our goal of qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019," Triano said in a statement.

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Canada sits second in Group B of the Americas qualification tournament after going 3-1 in four games. The Canadians' only loss came to the Dominican Republic last November, when the NBA was in season.

With many of Canada's top players available for the upcoming qualification window, Triano's squad will have a chance to exact some revenge on the Dominicans, while also grabbing hold of top spot in the group, when the teams meet in Toronto on June 29. In addition to the eight current NBAers on the squad, Canada has a pair of players (Anthony Bennett and Andrew Nicholson) with prior experience in the North American league.

Canada Basketball listed Tyler Ennis (LA Lakers), Nik Stauskas (Brooklyn Nets), Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Trey Lyles (Denver Nuggets) as "unavailable for June," but the team is confident it has enough talent to advance to the next round.

"The new qualification structure has showcased the depth of our program, that we have grown over several years, as we currently find ourselves near the top of our group heading into pivotal matchups to conclude the first round," Canada assistant GM Rowan Barrett said. "Hosting meaningful games at home on Canadian soil is an experience our players won' ever forget." 

Canada will round out its group stage by hosting the U.S. Virgin Islands in Ottawa on July 2. The top three teams from each of the four groups move on to the second round of the qualification phase, which takes place in the fall. 

Full Canada Roster