Paris bound: Canadian basketball team heads to knockout round eyeing first Olympic medal since 1936

VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France — Canada coach Jordi Fernandez knew his team wasn’t the biggest in what has been called the most talented field in men’s Olympic basketball history.

He has banked on it being the toughest

And with an unblemished record in the men’s Olympic basketball tournament, Canada — led by NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, Dillion Brooks and RJ Barrett — has embraced that brand as it continues to eye its first medal since winning silver in the Berlin Games in 1936.

“We’re a tough bunch of guys,” Brooks said. “We play together. We find ways to win. We’ve trained together for a month and a half. So, we trust each other.”

That trust was on display as Canada scrapped its way to a 93-83 victory over Australia on Tuesday to improve to 2-0 in Group A’s so-called group of death, featuring perennial medal contender Spain, FIBA top-five ranked Australia and NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Canada has secured a spot as one of the final eight teams competing for gold in Paris. Its victory over Australia gives Canada its first knockout-stage appearance since Steve Nash led his home country to the quarterfinals in 2000 in Sydney, where it fell to France.

But just getting there isn’t nearly enough. It wants more. A lot more.

“We’ve got to keep growing because we’re a team that has never played together,” Fernandez said. “We’ve never had this group, and the guys do a great job with the uncertainty of lineups and never been in this type of competition. But we can make up with other ways.”

Canada can win Group A with a victory over Spain on Friday.

It’s a unique position for the 41-year-old Fernandez, who was born in Spain and served as an assistant for its national team from 2017-19. Though he insists his mind is focused on Canada’s red and white.

“I bleed Canadian and I’m all for Canada. Those are the interests,” Fernandez said. “My people right now obviously has a lot of respect for Spain. I know the coach well. I know the program. They’re awesome, great people. But at the end of the day, they’re the rival. We’re playing here in the Olympics to make all the Canadians proud of the way we play. And right now, the only thing we see is a rival in front of us.”

That said, the Olympic stage has provided a chance for players like Barrett to shine.

Though there are bigger names in front of him on the roster, he’s served in tandem with Gilgeous-Alexander to carry the scoring load for Canada thus far. Barrett has been the top producer in both wins, notching 23 points in Canada’s opening victory over Greece and 24 against Australia.

“I’m out there with Shai, one of the best players in the world. Just playing with him, the whole team is open because he draws so much attention,” Barrett said. “So, we’re just really out there trying to help him.”

Barrett is also adding to his family’s legacy in these Games.

His father, Rowan Barrett, was a longtime member of the Canadian national team and served as captain of its 2000 Olympic team. He went on to become executive vice president and general manager of the Canada Basketball.

Tapping into all of that is something Fernandez wants to do more of with the younger Barrett.

“Sometimes I don’t call plays for him. He’s a scorer. So that’s what he does," Fernandez said. “It comes from his family. And he’s been unbelievable. ... We need RJ to keep doing what he’s doing.”