Canada's 3-on-3 basketball team gets last-second invite to World Cup qualifier
Granted a spot in Puerto Rico tournament after Nigeria withdraws
Canada's 3-on-3 men's basketball team has been granted a spot at this week's World Cup qualifier after Nigeria withdrew due to visa issues.
The Canadian squad of captain Michael Linklater, Bikramjit Gill, Jelane Pryce and Wyatt Anders will join Group A with France, Germany and Italy at the tournament, which runs Saturday and Sunday in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
"Being able to represent your nation is one of the highest honours any athlete could receive," Linklater said in a release. "I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and we will do our best to make our country proud."
Linklater was on the Canadian team that finished sixth at last year's 3-on-3 World Cup.
The top three men's and top three women's teams in Puerto Rico will secure their ticket to the FIBA 3-on-3 World Cup, which will be held in Amsterdam from June 18-23.
The medallists at the World Cup will get automatic entry into a qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Games, where 3-on-3 basketball will make its Olympic debut.