Photo: Peter Baba

Canada Basketball has announced a 23-player pool for this summer’s World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins on July 3 against Puerto Rico.

The roster includes several notable names, headlined by two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as Canada prepares for another international competition.

However, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was not included in the squad.

Canada general manager Rowan Barrett addressed Murray’s absence, indicating that the star guard is not currently committed to participating with the national team.

“No, Jamal Murray is not committed to playing in the program going forward,” Barrett said.

“He’s got tremendous desire to play for the country, but sometimes there are things going on with the athletes that prevent them from doing so.”

Murray was not the only prominent player left off the list, as Shaedon Sharpe and Andrew Wiggins were also absent from the player pool.

Despite those omissions, Canada will still enter the qualifiers with significant talent and expectations as it looks to secure its place at the next World Cup.

International Notes: Parker, Hezonja, Bertans, Canada, Murray https://t.co/YmP2qy3rbv