The Canadian men's basketball team takes its place on the international stage in 2023.

Led by NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada won its first-ever FIBA ​​World Cup medal, beating the United States for bronze in September, and in the process qualified for next year's Summer Olympics.

The squad, which rose to No. 6 in the FIBA ​​world rankings from No. 15, closed out the season by being selected as The Canadian Press team of the year.

“I think it shows the commitment of our players and the excellence of our players,” General Manager Rowan Barrett said. “We are a player-centric program, it all starts with them and I don't think you would achieve something like this without players who come in with a love of their country and will risk everything for their country.

“I think what it ultimately says is that there's a system in place where everyone is doing their job to help the players excel on the pitch. And I think that's something that our players will be very proud of as well as everyone else.” other people involved.

“But what is certain is that our players will be very proud to understand that they are being recognized in their country for their sacrifice and excellence.”

By qualifying for the World Cup quarterfinals, Canada qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics — the first time Canadian men have competed at the Summer Olympics since 2000.

The win over the US was also the first time Canada had beaten the Americans at a World Cup, and the medal was Canada's first at a World Cup or Olympics since winning silver at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

“I think what this clearly means to this country is that we can be the best,” Barrett said. “We can compete with the best in the world.

“I think this is a performance that shows our country that we are serious, that we are here and that we have the ability to compete with the best in the world. And I think that's something that all Canadians would, or should be proud of. in the.”

Canadian men received 22 votes in a survey of sports journalists and broadcasters across the country. The Canadian women's tennis team that won the country's first Billie Jean King Cup finished second with 19 votes. The CFL Gray Cup champion Montreal Alouettes finished third with seven votes.

“The Canadian men's basketball team was the team story of the year, highlighted by some great performances from players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks,” said CBC Sports senior producer Tony Care. “Despite playing without key stars like Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins.”

This shift came after Canada failed to secure an Olympic berth, and narrowly lost in the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Victoria in July 2021 to the Czechs.

Canada got three-year commitments from 14 players in May 2022, including NBA stars Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray. Canada went 11-1 in FIBA ​​competition that year in World Cup qualifying.

“Canadian basketball programs now have legitimate stars, not just role players and fun-lovers on the NBA bench,” said Postmedia deputy editor Paul Chapman.

Then success came with a sudden change of coach in the summer. Nick Nurse, who was hired in 2019 and signed through the Paris Olympics, resigned on June 27.

Spaniard Jordi Fernandez was hired the following day. Fernandez is currently in his second season as associate head coach of the NBA's Sacramento Kings and was an assistant with Murray's Denver Nuggets from 2016-22.

Although Murray opted out of the World Cup after training camp to recover, with the tournament being held just six weeks after Denver won the NBA title, Canada proved to be fine.

Canada beats then-No. 5 France, then-No. 1 and defending World Cup champion Spain before falling to No. 2 Serbia en route to taking bronze and finishing the tournament with a 6-2 record. Canada's only other loss was to 12th ranked Brazil in the second knockout round.

It was amazing, Murray said. “For everyone, this is a big achievement. It is a national achievement. They did it for the country.

“I'm still coming to training camp. I'm still with the players. I feel the vibe there. And they're doing a good job. And I think we're on a roll and we have enough guys to go.” there and compete for gold next year.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2023.