Canada's men's basketball team will not be featuring in the gold medal game of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the surprise exit came at the hands of France in the quarterfinals. Facing off against a French team led by Guerschon Yabusele, Evan Fournier, and emerging star Victor Wembanyama, Canada was unable to live up to its billing as eight-point favorites.
The matchup saw Canada struggling right from the outset, with France's defensive prowess limiting Canada to just 10 points in the first quarter. By halftime, Canada faced a daunting 45-29 deficit. Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put in a stellar individual performance, leading his team with 27 points, but his efforts alone weren't enough to overcome France's comprehensive defense and coordinated team effort.
Key Performances
While Gilgeous-Alexander was Canada’s standout performer, he received little support from his teammates. RJ Barrett was the only other Canadian to reach double figures, scoring 16 points. The rest of the squad struggled to make an impact, with NBA guard Jamal Murray epitomizing the team's overall offensive struggles. Murray, who had been averaging a disappointing 5.6 points per game in the tournament, managed only seven points on 3 of 13 shooting against France. His shooting woes continued as he went 2 for 14 on three-point attempts throughout the tournament.
On the other hand, France enjoyed contributions from multiple players. Yabusele led the way with 22 points, while Fournier provided valuable scoring from the bench, contributing 15 points. Wembanyama, the much-anticipated NBA rookie, added seven points, underlining France's balanced attack.
Game Analysis
Canada’s offense appeared disjointed and out of sync, a fact not lost on head coach Jordi Fernandez: "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball." The Canadian squad concluded the game with 14 assists against an equal number of turnovers, a statistic indicative of their offensive inefficiency. Despite France turning over the ball 17 times, Canada couldn't capitalize on these mistakes.
Post-game reflections revealed the team’s sense of disappointment and introspection. "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us," lamented Gilgeous-Alexander. Forward Lu Dort echoed similar sentiments: "It's really disappointing. We had goals to get all the way to the end. When it gets cut short, it's tough and we have to live with it. We have to do whatever it takes to get back in four years."
Historical Context
This appearance in Paris marked Canada's first Olympic basketball tournament since the 2000 Sydney Games, adding another layer of heartache to their early exit. Their return to Olympic competition had sparked hopes of a deep run, particularly given the infusion of NBA talent in their roster. However, the absence of some key players was felt. Notably, incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey chose to pull out of the 2024 Olympic roster to focus on his first season with the Memphis Grizzlies, a decision that left a gap in Canada’s lineup.
What Went Wrong
The Canadian team’s inability to execute under pressure ultimately proved their undoing. Their struggles were highlighted by their failure to score efficiently and the lack of significant contributions from the bench, which could muster only 16 points. Moreover, their defensive lapses early in the game allowed France to build a substantial lead, one that the Canadians were never able to overcome.
The defeat to France will undoubtedly prompt introspection within the Canadian basketball program. With an eye on future competitions, the lessons from this Olympic campaign will need to be thoroughly analyzed and addressed. As the team regroups and looks toward potential redemption in future games, the foundation laid in Paris could serve as both a stark reminder of the challenges at this level and a motivator for future success.