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.
<figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-fed148261a2560a799f6df912e898fbc.jpg" alt="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]
" title="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]
"><figcaption>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]
</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-7fd4eeb40e1852aa4179c8996940b5a4.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, lays up a shot past Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, lays up a shot past Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, lays up a shot past Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-2dec8f0c2552c0c299b5254bd6e566a2.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, drives the ball between Golden State Warriors' Willie Cauley-Stein, left, and Glenn Robinson III (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, drives the ball between Golden State Warriors' Willie Cauley-Stein, left, and Glenn Robinson III (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, drives the ball between Golden State Warriors' Willie Cauley-Stein, left, and Glenn Robinson III (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-84685c66844f4ab357830585a816f50e.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, lays up a shot past Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, lays up a shot past Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, lays up a shot past Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-f9b8c8b17ec24c7a951863742414017c.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, left, lays up a shot past Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, left, lays up a shot past Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, left, lays up a shot past Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-ffa5845a02956bde7441f9d31226dca1.jpg" alt="Photo - Golden State Warriors' Omari Spellman, left, defends against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Deonte Burton (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Golden State Warriors' Omari Spellman, left, defends against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Deonte Burton (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Golden State Warriors' Omari Spellman, left, defends against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Deonte Burton (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-0a7bcb14f86362a062542ebeab85fff0.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Deonte Burton, right, rebounds the ball from Golden State Warriors' Omari Spellman (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Oklahoma City Thunder guard Deonte Burton, right, rebounds the ball from Golden State Warriors' Omari Spellman (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Deonte Burton, right, rebounds the ball from Golden State Warriors' Omari Spellman (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-34a9bdb238a16c4840848e3c23f83f19.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, center, shoots between Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks, left, and Glenn Robinson III (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, center, shoots between Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks, left, and Glenn Robinson III (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, center, shoots between Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks, left, and Glenn Robinson III (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-2549777004af2f8882e00a969b133a30.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, right, drives the ball against Golden State Warriors' Jordan Poole (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, right, drives the ball against Golden State Warriors' Jordan Poole (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, right, drives the ball against Golden State Warriors' Jordan Poole (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-e0910625ec4d99ffb457565e3ada088b.jpg" alt="Photo - Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks, left, drives the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Terrance Ferguson (23) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks, left, drives the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Terrance Ferguson (23) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Golden State Warriors' Alec Burks, left, drives the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Terrance Ferguson (23) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-795d54660c1f0c27d7d5c6c5a3cda20f.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul (3) celebrates with Nerlens Noel, left, and Terrance Ferguson (23) at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul (3) celebrates with Nerlens Noel, left, and Terrance Ferguson (23) at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul (3) celebrates with Nerlens Noel, left, and Terrance Ferguson (23) at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-39d7575bb3393d95deafd839bc46f83c.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder (17) celebrates at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder (17) celebrates at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder (17) celebrates at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-26ab1d9fae06a77c1f53440f79c38ce7.jpg" alt="Photo - Golden State Warriors' Ky Bowman, right, drives the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Golden State Warriors' Ky Bowman, right, drives the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Golden State Warriors' Ky Bowman, right, drives the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-cf2ca3d36e3e76d8d578fd614ce3180a.jpg" alt="Photo - Golden State Warriors' Omari Spellman, right, shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Steven Adams (12) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" title="Golden State Warriors' Omari Spellman, right, shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Steven Adams (12) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)"><figcaption>Golden State Warriors' Omari Spellman, right, shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Steven Adams (12) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)</figcaption></figure>
Maddie Lee
Maddie Lee followed an NBA team from Seattle to Oklahoma City, she just took a 10-year detour in between. Lee joined the Oklahoman in October 2018 as a Thunder beat writer, fresh off a stint in Oxford, Miss., where she covered Ole Miss for the...
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![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)
