In its return, it poses one of the greatest threats to the juggernaut that’s the United States, which is led by players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis. 

This year’s Olympic field is home to dozens of NBA players. Canada has 10 of them, including Oklahoma City Thunder starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort. 

Here’s what you need to know about the Canadian squad: 

More: 2024 Paris Olympics basketball: How to watch, schedule, betting odds

Canada men’s basketball roster 

• G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: An NBA MVP candidate with the Thunder, the new face of Canada basketball and a 6-foot-6 wizard with the ability to lull defenders and tango with them toward his spots.
• G Jamal Murray: A championship pedigree guard and closer just two years removed from an NBA title with the Denver Nuggets. Despite his obvious stardom, Murray’s availability leading up to the Paris games has raised eyebrows. 
• F Dillon Brooks: Everyone’s favorite hothead. A feisty defender, adept at getting under opponents’ skin, who averaged 12.7 points for the Houston Rockets this past season. 
• F RJ Barrett: A capable young wing entering his sixth season in the NBA. Barrett is fresh off averaging 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Toronto Raptors this past season after being traded from New York midway through the year. 
• F/C Kelly Olynyk: Team captain for this year’s Canadian team and an 11-year NBA veteran. At 33, Olynyk remains a threat as a stretch big. He also spent the latter half of last season with the Raptors. 
• G Andrew Nembhard: A fixture in the Indiana Pacers’ backcourt, Nembhard showed off his scoring chops this past postseason, cementing his status in an explosive Eastern Conference Finals series against the Boston Celtics. He inked a three-year deal with Indiana this past week. 
• G Nickeil Alexander-Walker: A pesky guard and integral part of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ No. 1 defense for much of last season. Also the cousin of Gilgeous-Alexander. 
• G/F Lu Dort: A human bowling ball, an improved shooter and the Thunder’s go-to perimeter defender. Played a vital role in thwarting Brandon Ingram and attempting to slow Luka Doncic this past postseason. 
• F Trey Lyles: A sound rotational forward for the Sacramento Kings who averaged 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 58 appearances this past season. 
• F/C Dwight Powell: The Dallas Mavericks’ longest-tenured active player, entering his 11th season with the organization. Powell averaged 13.3 minutes a season ago.
• C Khem Birch: A 31-year-old, six-year NBA veteran who last played with the Raptors during the 2022-23 season. He spent this past year with Bàsquet Girona in Spain’s Liga ACB. 
• F Melvin Ejim: A 33-year-old who’s spent most of his professional career overseas. He’s spent the past couple seasons with Unicaja in the Liga ACB. 
• Head coach Jordi Fernández: Recently named the Brooklyn Nets’ new head coach after spending a pair of seasons as Sacramento’s associate head coach.
• Assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren: An assistant under Chauncey Billups with the Portland Trail Blazers.
• Assistant coach Nathaniel Mitchell: An integral figure inside Canada basketball who’s served as head coach for previous events and served on Nick Nurse’s staff in Toronto. 
• Assistant coach Boniface N’Dong: A member of the Nuggets’ coaching staff, and once head coach to the Senegalese national team.