EDMONTON, Alberta (November 13, 2022) – Canada Basketball announced Sunday a roster update for the Senior Men’s National Team ahead of their upcoming game to conclude the fifth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers.

Javohn Blair has been added to the roster for tonight’s game in place of Kenny Chery who has returned to his professional club in Turkey.

Blair made his Senior Men’s National Team debut this summer at the FIBA AmeriCup 2022.  Blair averaged 13.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in six games as Canada finished fourth.

Canada will face Panama tonight, November 13 (5:10 p.m. MT) at Edmonton EXPO Centre and live on Sportsnet.

Limited tickets are still available via Ticketmaster to watch Team Canada with lower bowl seats starting at just $40.00.

Canada (9-0) remains the only undefeated team in the Americas after defeating Venezuela 94-56 on Thursday and qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.  The team sits atop Group E followed by Venezuela (7-2), Dominican Republic (6-3), Argentina (6-2), Bahamas (3-6) and Panama (2-7).

In this Second Round, the 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six. The teams that advanced from Groups A and C of the first phase, now make up Group E and those that come from Groups B and D, will make up Group F. The three best in each group and the best fourth place will move on to the World Cup.  For additional information on the format of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, click here.

Eighty national teams will play games across six qualifying windows to secure their place among the 30 teams who will join hosts Japan and the Philippines in the 32-team edition of FIBA's flagship event.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, set to take place from August 25 to September 10, 2023, will see the Group Phase take place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. The Final Phase will follow in the Philippines capital city of Manila.

Canada is currently ranked 15th in the FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike.