TORONTO (February 9, 2023) – Christian Nitu, Hudson Ward and Felix Kossaras, who all suited up for Team Canada at the 2022 FIBA U17 Men’s Basketball World Cup, have been named to the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global camp in Salt Lake City, Utah later this month.

The trio of Canadians were among 40 international prospects from 27 different countries to be selected for the camp, which will take place at the Utah Jazz Practice Facility as part of NBA All-Star 2023 from Friday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 19. The campers will also attend the 72nd NBA All-Star Game at Vivint Arena on Sunday.

Nitu, Ward and Kossaras starred together this past summer on a Canadian team that fell to eventual finalist Spain in the Round of 16.

Nitu, a Torontonian, averaged 5.9 points-per-game during the World Cup for Canada.  Nitu opened the tournament in fashion, shooting 6-10 from the field and recording 14 points and five rebounds in Canada’s 94-64 win over New Zealand.

Hailing from Leduc, Alta., Ward is a six-foot-seven forward. Ward averaged 5.9 points-per-game for Canada during the World Cup. He tied his tournament high of 10 points in the team’s Round of 16 game against Spain, shooting 4-7 from the field. 

Kossaras, a product of Montreal, saw the floor in all seven of Canada’s games during the World Cup. Kossaras contributed at both ends of the floor for Canada, with his biggest game of the tournament coming in the team’s win over Lebanon. He hauled in six rebounds, recorded four assists and knocked down his lone field goal attempt of the contest in 14 minutes of action.

Nitu, Ward and Kossaras join a long list of Canadians to have partaken in the camp, including RJ Barrett, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Bennedict Mathurin and Jamal Murray.

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is among the camp directors at the event.

Campers from all around the world will participate in a variety of activities, including anthropometric and athletic testing, movement efficiency, skill development stations, shooting and skills competitions, life skills seminars and 5-on-5 games, under the guidance of NBA Basketball Operations staff and select NBA players attending NBA All-Star 2023. The final day will feature a single-elimination tournament culminating with the championship game.

Nike, a global partner of BWB since 2002, will outfit the campers and coaches with Nike apparel and footwear. 

For the first time, the NBA, WNBA and FIBA will host a separate BWB Global camp for top high-school-age female prospects from outside the U.S. in July as part of AT&T WNBA All-Star 2023 in Las Vegas.