Canada will floor five NBA players in World Cup qualifier against Argentina

VICTORIA — Five NBA players highlight Canada’s 12-man roster for the team’s World Cup qualifying game Thursday night against Argentina.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Detroit Pistons Cory Joseph and Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell were among the dozen named following Canada’s training camp in Victoria, B.C.

Gilgeous-Alexander made his first national team appearance in six years at the previous qualifying window in July. He had 32 points in a 95-75 win over the Dominican Republic in his hometown of Hamilton and 24 points in a 113-67 win over the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Canada was the only country in the Americas to go undefeated (6-0) in the first round of qualifiers. Argentina’s record is 5-1.