TORONTO - Canada Basketball’s Junior Men’s National Team (JMNT) are one of eight teams that will compete at the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men. In a live draw today in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, it was determined that Canada will be competing in Group ‘­­­B’, and will take on Argentina, Colombia and Puerto Rico.

The FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men will take place from June 16 – 20 in Sao Sebastian do Paraiso, Brazil.

Results of the Draw:

Group A: Brazil, U.S.A, U.S. Virgin Islands and Mexico

Group B: Canada, Argentina, Colombia and Puerto Rico

The teams that place in the top four in the tournament earn a berth into the U19 FIBA World Championship in 2013.

JMNT Head Coach, Roy Rana said, “We are looking forward to an exciting and challenging summer ahead, as our group includes two of the traditional powers in FIBA Americas (Argentina and Puerto Rico) and an ever dangerous Columbian Team. We will have to be prepared as a team and play with great passion in representing Canada in order to reach our goal of qualifying for the 2013 U19 World Championship.”

At the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men, Canada finished third and went on to qualify and play in the 2011 U19 FIBA World Championship.

Players who have played for Canada’s JMNT in the past include: Tristan Thompson (2008 and 2009), Cory Joseph (2007 and 2009), Kyle Wiltjer (2010), Myck Kabongo (2010), Khem Birch (2010) and Kevin Pangos (2011).

Canada will be looking to make it the third time in a row they have medaled in this event.  

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