OKC Thunder players set to play in FIBA World Cup this summer

The Oklahoma City Thunder wrapped up their 2022-23 NBA season with their annual exit interviews, where we were able to speak to every player on the OKC Thunder roster one final time before the offseason tipped off for the Bricktown boys.

This offseason will be an interesting one, with another top-12 pick at Sam Presti’s disposal after a 40-win season, a team that has shown they take Summer Development very seriously, and top ten in the league Salary Cap for Presti to use to wheel and deal. While the capacity of the deals does not expect to be Blockbuster, it will be fascinating to watch this roster take place.

On top of the OKC Thunder team building, basketball will be back before you know it. After the thrilling NBA postseason wraps up and we finish the NBA Draft, Free Agency, and NBA Summer League, we will be less than a month away from the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The Thunder will be well-represented at this event.

Who will represent the OKC Thunder at the FIBA World Cup in August?

Team Canada will have two players from the Oklahoma City Thunder, headlined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and defensive ace Lu Dort. Both of them credited Gilgeous-Alexander’s leap this season to playing to playing for Team Canada last offseason. SGA said playing for Team Canada “Absolutely” helped him prepare, and he felt “A little bit sharper, more ready for sure.”

Lu Dort mentioned he saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s defensive progression with Team Canada and knew this leap was coming. Dort confirmed he would join Gilgeous-Alexander playing for the National Team.

Josh Giddey was incredibly excited to play in the FIBA World Cup for Team Australia, noting he missed out on the opportunity last time and has been looking forward to it ever since.

Lastly, rookie Ousmane Dieng said he would love to participate in the World Cup but would need to be selected for Team France in order to do so. Dieng also confirmed he would be attending NBA Summer League in July.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup begins on August 25th and wraps up on September 10th, with Media Day and Training Camp getting going just weeks after. This Summer will be jam-packed with basketball.