Over the years, Canada has gained momentum and eventually won a bronze medal at the 2023 World Cup, as well as a spot at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. A first for the country since 2000. However, the team has been without one of its best players for a while: Jamal Murray.
The Denver point guard has also grown in strength over the course of his seasons in the NBA, to the point of becoming a reference in his position – even in the absence of participation in the All-Star Game – and an NBA champion in 2023.
In three weeks, he will be with Canada in Lille and then probably Paris, for a first experience with his national team in almost ten years and the 2015 Pan American Games. He was 18 years old then. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m lucky to be in this position, healthy and ready to play.”, does he deliver.
His physique will be monitored
Especially since his association with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes Canada fans fantasize. In addition to the country's other weapons. “Obviously it’s going to be fun, but there’s also Dillon Brooks, Lu Dort, Khem Birch, Dwight Powell, Kelly Olynyk, Kyle Alexander… They’re all friends and I’m looking forward to playing with everyone on the team.”lists the Denver player.
As for his physical condition, the same one that explained his withdrawal last year after a long season in the NBA, Jordi Fernandez will be cautious. “I'm not a doctor, I'm going to rely on the team's doctor and the Nuggets' doctor.”announced the coach. “I'll be in constant communication and we'll do what's best for him. We'll have a plan, so far so good, so no restrictions.”
“I'm healthy enough to be here. I tried to take advantage of the few weeks of rest after the playoffs, and I rested my body and my mind to go again.”concludes Jamal Murray in any case.
| Jamal Murray | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 82 | 22 | 40.4 | 33.4 | 88.3 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 9.9 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 81 | 32 | 45.1 | 37.8 | 90.5 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 16.7 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 43.7 | 36.7 | 84.8 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 18.2 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 59 | 32 | 45.6 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 18.5 |
| 2020-21 | DEN | 48 | 36 | 47.7 | 40.8 | 86.9 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 21.2 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 65 | 33 | 45.4 | 39.8 | 83.3 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 6.2 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 20.0 |
| 2023-24 | DEN | 59 | 32 | 48.1 | 42.5 | 85.3 | 0.7 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 21.2 |
| Total | 469 | 31 | 45.2 | 38.0 | 86.7 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 17.5 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
