Canada Eyes 'History' Ahead of Luka Doncic, Slovenia FIBA World Cup Matchup

Canada is highly motivated to make history ahead of competing against Mavs' Luka Doncic and Slovenia.

MANILA, Philippines — One of the most electric matchups of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup is set to get underway on Wednesday when Luka Doncic's Slovenia squad takes on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Canada.

For the Canadians, although qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics has already transpired, the team has major goals for the remainder of the World Cup. For a program that has never won a medal at the World Cup, the goal is to take advantage of being in the best position they've had. It all starts with a must-win game over Slovenia.

“It means a lot for everybody back home in Canada, not just the people who follow and like basketball daily," Canada coach Jordi Fernandez told EuroHoops.net. "It’s for everybody else, we’re playing for everybody in Canada whether you like the sport. That’s the cool thing at this time of the year, everybody can follow and support, getting to know more about these amazing Canadian players.

"Whatever the result will be tonight, it’s gonna be the best that Canada Basketball has had ever," Fernandez explained. "Every time you have the chance to do something that nobody has done before, I think it’s very special. Our guys are extremely excited for that."

FIBA

When matching up against Slovenia, the top list of priorities is obvious: contain the Dallas Mavericks superstar. It's apparent that doing so will require a collective effort, but regardless, maintaining the style of play that fits the team's identity remains a priority.  

“It’s gonna be a challenge, we are facing a team that has played together for a while, with obviously a superstar," Fernandez said. "It’s gonna take a village to get the win. We have the tools that we need defensively and I think we’re willing to do the right thing and play our style of basketball. We’ll have the chance to do what we want to do and win the game."

Doncic, who has averaged 26.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists through five World Cup contests, is a priority, but there is more to Slovenia's team that must be accounted for. Perhaps the greatest example occurred against Australia when the team handled 4-on-3s well enough to break open the game as Doncic was double-teamed frequently. 

“It’s not easy. He’s one of the best European players, one of the best NBA players. It excites everybody. But it’s not Luka, it’s a team," Fernandez explained. "They’ve done a great job from coaching to players building their chemistry. They’ve won EuroBasket, and they’ve been to the Olympics. Luka couldn’t do it on his own. It’s a team sport and even though he’s the head of the snake, they are a good team."

A similar sentiment about sticking to the team's identity was expressed by its top player, Gilgeous-Alexander. He toned down the sentiment that it's "Doncic versus SGA," while expressing the need to be the aggressors as a collective when competing against Slovenia. 

"No, it's a Canada vs. Slovenia game," Gilgeous-Alexander said of matching up against Doncic "I'm trying to do anything to win that game."

"We need to play to our identity," Gilgeous-Alexander explained. "Play fast, play aggressive defensively, cut hard offensively, and share the ball. We must be the aggressors on both ends of the floor. I think if we do that, we'll be alright."

In terms of attempting to contain Doncic, Canada's on-ball defensive ace, Dillon Brooks, acknowledged that Doncic knows all of the techniques of international basketball and a physical approach to wear him down is required before the fourth quarter. 

“He’s used to playing in these games, he knows all the tricks in the trade,’ Brooks told EuroHoops.net “I feel it will be kind of the same thing as in the NBA, trying to be physical and tiring him out looking to the 4th quarter."

The winner of this match will advance to face off against Serbia with a chance to compete in the final on the line.