Canadian Men’s Basketball Team: Why the Hype is Actually Real Now

For decades, being a fan of the Canadian men’s basketball team felt like a very specific kind of slow-motion heartbreak. You’d see the talent in the NBA—the Steve Nash years, the Andrew Wiggins hype, the draft picks piling up—and then summer would roll around, and the roster would somehow end up being a skeleton crew. We’d lose to countries you couldn't find on a map without a few tries.

Honestly, it sucked.

But things have shifted. If you haven't been paying attention since the 2024 Paris Olympics or the recent FIBA windows, the "Golden Generation" isn't just a marketing slogan anymore. It’s a group of guys who are actually showing up, winning medals, and making the rest of the world nervous. We aren't just the "team with potential" anymore; we’re the team that people are actively trying to avoid in the bracket.

The Gordie Herbert Era Begins

The biggest news right now isn't even about a player. It’s about the guy on the sidelines. Canada Basketball recently pulled off a massive heist by hiring Gordie Herbert as the new head coach.

If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the mastermind who took Germany to a FIBA World Cup gold medal in 2023. The man knows how to win in the international game, which, as we’ve seen, is a totally different beast than the NBA. He’s a Penticton, B.C. native, so he’s coming home.

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The catch? He doesn't officially take over the bench until the summer of 2026 because of his current contract with FC Bayern Munich. In the meantime, the program is being held down by a "coaching pool" strategy, with guys like Nathaniel Mitchell leading the charge during the 2025 AmeriCup run.

Why the 2024 Olympics Mattered (Even if We Didn't Medal)

Look, I know the quarterfinal exit against France in Paris felt like a gut punch. We went 3-0 in the "Group of Death," beating Spain, Australia, and Greece. We looked like world-beaters. Then, we ran into a hostile French crowd and a whistle that... well, let’s just say it wasn't friendly to us.

But here is the thing: that was our first Olympic appearance for the men in 24 years. Twenty-four. Most of the guys on the roster weren't even in elementary school the last time Canada played Olympic ball in Sydney. Getting that experience—feeling the pressure of a knockout game in a loud European arena—is something you can’t simulate.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved he is a top-five player on the planet. He was named to the All-Second Team in Paris and has been on an absolute tear in the NBA since. Last season (2024-25), Shai did the unthinkable and won the NBA MVP award, becoming the first Canadian to do it since Nash. He’s the engine of the Canadian men’s basketball team, and as long as he’s healthy, Canada has a chance to beat anybody.

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The Jamal Murray Question

We have to talk about Jamal. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. He missed the 2023 World Cup (where Canada won Bronze) to recover from that grueling championship run with Denver. He played in Paris, but he didn't quite look like the "Blue Arrow" we see in the NBA playoffs.

But heading into 2026, Murray seems to have found his rhythm again. He’s coming off a massive 2025-26 NBA season start where he’s been hovering around 25 points a game. The chemistry between him and SGA is the "Holy Grail" for Canada Basketball. If they can figure out how to share the backcourt without stepping on each other's toes, it’s the best guard duo in international basketball. Period.

The Depth is Actually Scary

It’s not just the superstars. The real reason the Canadian men’s basketball team is ranked 5th in the world right now is the "dirt work" guys.

• Luguentz Dort: The man is a human brick wall. He’s arguably the best perimeter defender in the world right now.
• Dillon Brooks: Love him or hate him (and most people outside of Canada hate him), he is the emotional heartbeat of this team. His 39-point performance against the USA in the 2023 Bronze medal game is legendary.
• RJ Barrett: He’s been remarkably consistent. Since moving to the Raptors, his efficiency has spiked, and he’s become a reliable secondary scorer for the national team.
• The Big Men: This was always our weakness. But with Zach Edey developing into a legitimate force in Memphis and Mfiondu Kabengele dominating the 2025 AmeriCup (where he averaged nearly a double-double), the "we have no centers" excuse is officially dead.

What Most People Get Wrong About FIBA

A lot of casual fans think you can just throw five NBA starters on the court and cruise. The Canadian men’s basketball team learned the hard way that international ball is a different sport.

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There’s no defensive three-second rule. The ball is different. The spacing is tighter. In the 2025 AmeriCup, we saw Canada struggle at times against teams like Argentina and even the Dominican Republic during the qualifiers. Why? Because those teams have played together for ten years.

Canada’s biggest hurdle isn't talent anymore; it's continuity. That’s why the "Summer Core" commitment that Rowan Barrett (the GM) pushed for is so vital. You can't just show up two weeks before a tournament and expect to have chemistry. You need to know where Dillon Brooks is going to be when he gets a steal, or how Zach Edey wants the entry pass when the shot clock is at five.

Real Talk: The 2025 AmeriCup Performance

In the summer of 2025, Canada sent a "B-plus" team to Nicaragua for the AmeriCup. No Shai, no Jamal. But we still saw Kyshawn George and Leonard Miller step up. George, specifically, looked like a future star, leading the team in scoring during the group stage.

We ended up taking 4th after a heartbreaking loss to the USA in the bronze medal game (90-85). While it wasn't a podium finish, it proved that our "depth" is now better than most countries' "starters." Jackson Rowe and Mfiondu Kabengele earned a lot of respect for how they handled the physical play in Managua.

Actionable Insights for the 2026-2028 Cycle

If you're following this team, the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is already being paved. Here is what you need to keep an eye on if you want to be the "smart person" in the room when talking hoops:

1. Watch the 2026 FIBA Windows: Even if the NBA guys aren't there, these games determine our ranking and seeding. A high ranking means avoiding the USA or Serbia until later in the tournament.
2. The "Gordie Effect": Watch how the team's defensive schemes change once Gordie Herbert takes the reins in the summer of 2026. Expect a much more disciplined, European-style half-court offense.
3. The New Guard: Keep an eye on Ryan Nembhard and Will Riley. Riley is a lottery-level talent who could be the "X-factor" wing player Canada has been missing to bridge the gap between the starters and the bench.
4. Health over Everything: The 2027 FIBA World Cup is the big one. If Shai, Jamal, and RJ are all healthy and committed, Canada is a legitimate threat to win the whole thing.

The Canadian men’s basketball team has finally graduated from being a "nice story" to a global powerhouse. We have the MVP, we have the defenders, and now we have the championship coach. The days of moral victories are over. Now, it's about the hardware.