Canada has World Cup fever, justifiably. 

Even the Canadian men’s basketball team has caught it. Houston Rockets star Dillon Brooks has already seen the surging Canadian men’s side play World Cup games in Toronto and Vancouver. 

Two-time NBA MVP Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander — who has authored some inspiring Canadian sports heritage moments in his own right — has been riveted by the success of the men’s soccer team, which advanced to the Round of 16 with a breathtaking 1-0 win over South Africa in extra time on Sunday.

“Seeing the growth of that program and where it's come from in just a short amount of time, the growth of the players, it's been inspiring,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who played his share of soccer before basketball became his primary pursuit. “It's been fun and makes you proud to be Canadian.”

His cousin, Atlanta Hawks star Nickeil Alexander-Walker, doubtless spoke for a lot of late-to-the-party Canadian soccer fans when he said: “I don't know much about soccer, but I support Canada.”

The three NBA stars were speaking in downtown Toronto at the opening of training camp for the two World Cup qualifying games the Canadian men’s team is playing in Hamilton, as they host Puerto Rico on Friday, July 3rd and Jamaica on Monday, July 6th at newly renovated TD Coliseum (formerly Copps Coliseum). 

They represent the core of an impressive group of Canadian basketball players that have committed to a three-year buildup to what everyone involved hopes will match and exceed their impressive showing in........

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