Cory Joseph thrilled to finally play a meaningful basketball game at home

TORONTO — The last time Cory Joseph tugged on a Canadian team jersey, he had to fly halfway around the world to do it.

Canada was playing in a last-gasp Olympic qualifying tournament in the Philippines in 2016, but missed out on a spot in the Rio Games with an 83-74 loss to France.

“That (trip) was long, I can’t even remember, it was super long, it was definitely the longest trip I’ve ever taken,” Joseph laughed.

Canada will host the Dominican Republic in World Cup qualifying on Friday at Ricoh Colliseum. And while Joseph has been long been loyal to the Canadian program, happily hopping on flights to random basketball destinations abroad, the 26-year-old guard is thrilled to finally be playing a meaningful game at home. And he’s got an exciting crop of young talented teammates to do it with. 

“To have it here in Toronto, it’s amazing. To have qualifying here, there’s nothing better than playing at home and having the fans and your family members supporting you,” Joseph said Monday from the team hotel.

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Joseph scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds in that loss to France — a disappointing blow that left the Canadian men sitting out their fourth consecutive Olympics.

But coach Jay Triano has assembled arguably the strongest team ever for this round of qualifying. Next year’s World Cup in China is an Olympic qualifier, and Joseph said Canada’s goal is both to stand on the World Cup podium, and book a trip to the 2020 Tokyo Games.

“Just from talking to some of the guys, we’re excited, it’s a great opportunity for us to do something that maybe has never been done by Canada. It’s been a long time since we’ve been to the Olympics, with (Steve) Nash and whatnot,” said Joseph — Nash led Canada in its last Olympic appearance in 2000.

“They did a great job over there in B.C., so we can build off that and prepare for this game on Friday.”

Canada is coming off a pair of exhibition wins against China on the west coast, beating the Chinese by a combined 205-134.

Joseph is coming off his first season with Indiana after he was traded by Toronto for C.J. Miles. He averaged 7.9 points and 3.2 assists with the Pacers, who took Cleveland to seven games in the first round of the playoffs.

On Friday, he’ll suit up alongside NBAers Khem Birch, Dillon Brooks, Kelly Olynyk, and Dwight Powell. Notable absences are Andrew Wiggins, Jamal Murray, and Tristan Thompson, whose Cavaliers are coming off their fourth straight NBA finals appearance.

But some of Canada’s best talent is too young for the NBA. Rising star R.J. Barrett, who just turned 18, made a memorable senior team debut in the two games against China, scoring a combined 37 points.  

“I thought he did great, he was aggressive, he wasn’t shy at all, that’s not his character,” Joseph said. “Obviously he’s very athletic, he’s very talented, everybody knows that, and I think it was great for him to come and play with the men’s national team. I knew him growing up (as the son of Olympian Rowan Barrett), I knew he was going to be special.

“But obviously he’s shocked a lot of people, and you know he’s going to shock people. He’s a hell of a talent.”

Canada can secure first place in the group by beating the Dominican Republic by at least 12 points, and beating the U.S. Virgin Islands on Monday at Ottawa’s TD Place.  

The Canadians, with a 3-1 record, have already clinched a spot in the second round of qualifying which begins in September. Results carry over to the next round, which continues in November and February 2019.

The last time Canada qualified for the World Cup was 2010.

Lori Ewing, The Canadian Press