Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was originally among those being considered for the Canadian national team’s 2019 FIBA World Cup roster. He decided it wasn’t in his best interest to play this year. Given he was shipped from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City — where the expectations for his personal success are even higher now — Gilgeous-Alexander made the right decisions.
However, the Thunder will still be represented in China at this year’s FIBA World Cup. They just won’t have anyone on the Canadian national team, or Team USA for that matter.
Danilo Gallinari, who was in the same Clippers-Thunder trade as Gilgeous-Alexander, will play for the Italian national team. He recently had an appendectomy, but he’s back in action and playing for his country.
Dennis Schroder, meanwhile, is doing his thing for the German national team, alongside fellow NBA player Daniel Theis (Boston Celtics).
Germany lost to the Japanese national team 86-83 on Saturday, but Schroder still filled the stat sheet. He scored 16 points and had eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
