The New Orleans Pelicans selected Nickeil Alexander-Walker with the 17th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. After a sensational Summer League showing, he hopes to help carry Team Canada to FIBA World Cup glory.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker showed his quality playing NBA Las Vegas Summer League games. In many cases, NBA teams would ask that a newly drafted first-round pick focuses on their rookie season. However, with so many players fight for backcourt minutes, the New Orleans Pelicans welcome any court time Team Canada gives Alexander-Walker.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will get to play together for Team Canada. Cory Joseph and Jamaal Murray are ahead of both on the Team Canada depth chart. Alexander-Walker will serve the same bench depth role the Pelicans will ask of him.
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When he learned he would be in Team Canada camp competing for a spot, Alexander-Walker responded:
"“I’m excited. It’s a dream come true. Everything I’m doing is part of the dream. I’m just taking all the time I have to soak it up. I’m going to get some rest, and then try to get better (prior to the start of the season). This is when the real work starts and the big dogs come out.”"
Team Canada has two games against Nigeria this week, August 7 and August 9, to begin game preparations for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. They will then travel to overseas to play a few more exhibitions, including one against the United States team.
Legitimate NBA talents now litter the Canadian roster. Cracking the rotation would be difficult for Alexander-Walker but the national team traveling experience would be wonderful for off-court development. Any time dropping fire passes on the global stage is an extra benefit.
Team Canada is placed in Group H along with Australia, Lithuania, and Senegal. The talent to escape the group stages is on the roster. The Canadian hoops scene might even get to enjoy another medal-winning performance, should Canada get a favorable draw in the knockout rounds.