Is Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Team USA's Biggest Threat to Winning Gold?

Oklahoma City Thunder Fans, be prepared for a conflict of interest when watching this year's FIBA World Cup.

Now that the qualifying rounds are complete and group play is officially set to commence, the United States will join a pool of 32 squads looking to take home a Gold Medal in professional basketball — something that it hasn't truly struggled to do in year's past. That was until European talent started to surface across the league.

Now, multiple countries can send a roster almost as jam-packed with talent, if not more. Slovenia has Luka Doncic, while on a good year, Greece send out the Antetokounmpo brothers lewd by Giannis. Even Japan's national team is led by Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hacimura in what has truly become a well-rounded field.

But what about the United States' neighbor to the north?

for the crest on our chest#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/6cQ905Oo7X
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 24, 2023

Team Canada is equipped with a roster featuring multiple players with NBA experience. Led by superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada's roster also has RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Lu Dort, Dwight Powell and Kelly Olynyk, not to mention Purdue standout Zach Edey.

"No team in the field has as many defenders capable of stifling the American perimeter stars [as Team Canada]," CBS Sports wrote in a recent FIBA analysis. "No team in the field has such variety in its front court, as Canada can play a stretch-big in Olynyk, a pick-and-roll finisher in Powell or a post threat in Edey. And of course, only Slovenia has a superstar as dangerous as Gilgeous-Alexander."

Comparing Gilgeous-Alexander to Doncic on its own says a lot about the rising sixth-year veteran. Not only is his skillset explosive and difficult to stifle, he's also proven to be a team leader on the roster, undoubtedly using his experience as a leader in Oklahoma City to help bring his teammates together.

“It’s cool because it doesn’t feel forced,” Team Canada coach Jordi Fernandez said of Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership. “It comes natural. I think the guys have that relationship where they know each other, they like each other. Shai always has a smile on his face."

That smile was certainly one of the more noticeable features of the point guard for a reason. Gilgeous-Alexander is known to be a team player, but also a player passionate about basketball — whatever league it may be in. So, he'll certainly be honing that passion if he wants to lead Canada to a Gold medal.

In fact, he very well could be the United States' biggest threat to winning it all. And if comes down to beating the country he plays for during the NBA season, Gilgeous-Alexander will likely do so with a smile on his face then, too.

Gilgeous-Alexander and Team Canada will kick off their FIBA World Cup slate Friday morning against Team France, looking to earn their first win of the tournament.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. CST.

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