Canada (0-0) vs. Bahamas (0-0)

When: Sunday, November 28, 4 PM ET / Monday, November 29, 4 PM ET

Where: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Palacio de los Deportes

Watch: Sportsnet

Why the Senior Men’s National Team is in Dominican Republic:

FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifying begins: This weekend’s FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers tip-off the first window of competition to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Canada, along with 15 other teams from the Caribbean, North America, South America and Central America will play their first two games in this qualifying window beginning Friday.

Tournaments and schedules set: While Canada will be joining the U.S. Virgin Islands and Bahamas, along with bubble hosts, the Dominican Republic (Group C), Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile (Group A) will join Venezuela, Panama and Paraguay in Argentina (Group B) for a tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The final tournament will see Cuba, Puerto Rico and the United States in Mexico (Group D). This will be the first window in a series of six windows that will determine the 32 teams who will compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.

Things to know heading into Canada’s first competition window:

The road ahead: Canada will play two games in a back-to-back set against the Bahamas this weekend. The first game will take place on Sunday at 4:00 P.M. ET and the second is set for Monday at 4:00 P.M. ET. Canada has been grouped with the Dominican Republic, Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands, the same three countries they were grouped with during the first window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers back in 2017.

Talking about practice: Team Canada spent this week in Houston, traveling from near and far to get together to practice in preparation for this weekend’s tournament. Taking over the University of Houston’s Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, the team has worked to get everyone up to speed and ready for their competition.

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While the trip was quick for some, for others, like Team Canada vet Kyle Wiltjer, who is playing professionally in Spain this year, it was quite the journey to travel to Houston for this week’s camp. The decision was still an easy one for Wiltjer, who has been a mainstay with the program.  “[So many of] these guys I’ve known since I was 14, 15,” Wiltjer said. “It really is a brotherhood. Just being able to create that bond is a special thing.

“In terms of just straight basketball, it's a no brainer for me,” he continued. “I was committed last year. I just wanted to keep it going and I was honoured when they called my name just to be ready. I'm excited about it.”

Senior Men’s National Team Debut: While Wiltjer is a veteran with the program, Brampton native A.J. Lawson will make his Senior Men’s National Team debut this weekend after previously representing Canada Basketball at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018 and FIBA U19 World Cup 2019. After a week with his new national team teammates in Houston, Lawson is eagerly anticipating this weekend’s tip-off. “You’re always going to cherish the moment of playing for your country,” he said. “I just can't wait for it to happen. I want to soak up every moment. I’m just excited. The 21-year-old swingman spoke about his basketball journey earlier this week.

‍Familiar faces: While there are some new faces on the team, there are several Canadian stalwarts back with the squad. Brothers Phil and Thomas Scrubb reunite with Wiltjer and Owen Klassen for the first time since representing Canada at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, while six players (Phil Scrubb, Thomas Scrubb, Aaron Best, Owen Klassen, Anthony Bennett and Kadre Gray) return from the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers.

Star-studded Sportsnet coverage: When fans watch Team Canada take on the Bahamas this weekend, they will be treated to a special studio guest as Senior Women’s National Team vet and three-time Olympian Natalie Achonwa joins the Sportsnet crew as part of their basketball coverage panel. Calling the action will be Dan Shulman and Senior Men's National Team alum Jevohn Shepherd.

Where to watch: Fans in Canada can catch Team Canada in action live from Dominican Republic beginning Sunday on Sportsnet.