Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander announces commitment to Canada next summer
With Canada still looking for a berth to the 2020 Olympics, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wants to help.
The Toronto native announced his re-commitment to the Canadian national team Tuesday on Twitter.
“I’ve known and made a promise to myself that representing my country is something I will continue to do,” read a post on Gilgeous-Alexander’s verified Twitter account, “and as my bro @BeMore27 (Jamal Murray) publicly announced his commitment, I too will be there to do my best to help @CanBball get to Tokyo!”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s announcement came just hours after the Denver point guard’s.
Canada failed to earn an automatic berth to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the FIBA World Cup this September. A surge of American and Canadian NBA players opted out of the World Cup, often citing health and preparation concerns.
Gilgeous-Alexander himself posted on Twitter that he decided not to participate because he wanted to make sure he was “in the best position to take full advantage of (his) second professional year.” He was also transitioning onto a new team after being traded from the Clippers to the Thunder as a part of the deal that sent Paul George to Los Angeles.
Canada went 2-3 in the World Cup, but it did earn a spot in one of four FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in June. That tournament marks Canada’s last chance to qualify for the 2020 Olympics.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging a career high 19.3 points in 34.8 minutes per game with the Thunder this season.
![Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) smiles after a play during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. Oklahoma City won 102-94. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/large960_blur-fed148261a2560a799f6df912e898fbc.jpg)



![Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) smiles after a play during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. Oklahoma City won 102-94. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
Photo - Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) smiles after a play during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. Oklahoma City won 102-94. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-fed148261a2560a799f6df912e898fbc.jpg)














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