Jamal Murray has reported to the Canadian team, but his participation in the 2023 World Cup based in Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia is in doubt.
He general manager of the Canadian federation, Rowan Barrett, announced that they should be cautious with the point guard after a long season with the Denver Nuggets. “We have to be smart and make the best decision for him. He’s hard to handle, you almost have to take care of him himself because he won’t stop. He is practicing one hour before and one hour after the training session,” the former player told the local media.
Like Barrett, Murray also did not confirm his availability in the tournament that begins on August 25. “It is a process. My body and pace are a bit different than everyone else, so now I try to stay calm and stick with my jump shot. I can always trust that,” the Ontario native told journalist Josh Lewenberg.
The 26-year-old player played 65 games in the regular round and another 20 in the postseason, a stage in which he averaged 40 minutes a night to win the title against the Miami Heat. He previously missed all of 2020-2021 after tearing the ACL in his left knee.
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Meanwhile, the head coach of the national team, Jordi Fernández, said he was optimistic with the participation of Murray, he even hoped that he could wear uniforms in some friendly matches. «I have been in communication with the Nuggets. We have a plan and we’re on the same page,” he told Oren Weisfeld of Toronto Star.
In the North American shortlist, which was announced in mid-July, the names of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett and Dillon Brooks also stand out. The Canadians will face Latvia, Lebanon and France in Group H.
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
2023-08-03 04:00:00
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