Kentucky freshman guard Jamal Murray has been one of the breakout players of this summer thanks to some strong play in the Pan-Am Games for the Canadian national team. Now it appears the senior Canadian national team is interested to see what the 6-foot-5 guard can do against the nation’s best players as Murray is listed on the Canada Basketball training camp roster for FIBA Americas later this summer.
FIBA Americas is an important event for Canada because they have to finish either first or second to qualify for the Olympics. NBA players like Andrew Wiggins, Cory Joseph, Andrew Nicholson, Kelly Olynk and Nik Stauskas will be competing for roster spots alongside Murray, as he’s the only college player listed among the training camp group.
Now the question becomes whether Murray makes the roster and if it conflicts with classes beginning at Kentucky. Classes at the school begin on Aug. 26th while the FIBA Americas go on from Aug. 31 to Sept. 12 in Mexico City. It means Murray might have to decide between doing one or the other.
Tryouts and training camp will go from Aug. 14-20 and it should give Murray the experience of playing against some pro guards during an elite-level camp. We’ll have to wait and see whether Murray beats out the group of older players and makes the team before the potential enrollment date issue at Kentucky becomes a factor.
