IZMIR, Turkey — There weren’t many good feelings to be found among the Canadian players after they wrapped up a disappointing run through the FIBA world men’s basketball championships. But the man in charge of the country’s national program saw some reason for hope.
The Canadian team packed up and headed home Thursday after an 89-67 loss to defending champion Spain.
“The 0-and-5 isn’t what we hoped for when we came here, but my sense is there are a number of positives to reflect upon,” said Wayne Parrish, Canada Basketball’s CEO and executive director. “There were stretches today when Kelly Olynyk (19 years old) and Rob Sacre (21) were on the floor at the same time and were giving Spain some issues and some problems.
“My sense is we made progress.”
Olynyk, from Kamloops, B.C., led Canada with 14 points, while Toronto’s Jevohn Shepherd had 12. Miami Heat centre Joel Anthony of Montreal added six rebounds.
Rudy Fernandez and Fran Vasquez each had 19 points, while 19-year-old Ricky Rubio had eight points and eight assists for Spain, which raced out to a 28-17 lead after one quarter.
Parrish said the men’s program is just two years into an eight-year plan leading up to the 2016 Olympics, and fielded one of the youngest teams in Turkey with the least amount of international experience.
“At one point in the game today, Maurizio (Gherardini, Canada’s Basketball’s managing director) said to me, ’We’re holding our own and what we have on the floor is two college players and three guys without pro contracts.”’
Canada closed it to 40-37 after point guard Jermaine Anderson’s jumper with 50 seconds to go in the first half.
On its next possession, however, Fernandez blocked a Canadian shot into the hands of Spain forward Alex Mumbru, who sent an arcing full-court pass to Sergio Llull. The guard then tipped the ball to Fernandez for a layup and a 42-37 Spanish halftime lead.
Canada missed 14 of 17 shots in the third quarter as it fell behind 63-48 going into the fourth.
Canada previously lost to Lebanon, Lithuania, France and New Zealand to finish last in Group D.