There’s a high probability that at least one NBA champion will be on the court when the Canadian men’s national basketball team plays in its opening game at the Olympics in Paris.

Jamal Murray, the point guard for the Denver Nuggets, spoke with the media after his team’s victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. He stated that he would like to compete for Canada in the summer Olympics.

When questioned by media at Scotiabank Arena about his plans to play, Murray replied, “Definitely.” “Many of our guys are prepared to compete for a gold medal in the summer.”

Shortly before the game earlier this year, Murray—who had trained with the team in Toronto—announced that he would not be participating in the FIBA World Cup, fresh off his 2023 NBA victory with the Nuggets.

Following an extended playoff run and a whirlwind pre-tournament schedule, Murray chose to take the summer off and recuperate rather than go all out again.

Even without Murray, Canada managed to have the best tournament run ever, defeating the Americans in the bronze medal game and earning their first Olympic berth in men’s basketball since they participated in the 2000 Sydney Summer Games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a Canadian, was selected for the World Cup All-Tournament Team. He and Aaron Murray are anticipated to be among the most dynamic backcourt tandems in the 12-team Olympic competition, which begins on July 27.

Murray continued, “It was good to see him lead the team [this summer].”

In 14 games this season, Murray, a 26-year-old from Kitchener, Ontario, has averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds. Murray, who was selected seventh overall in the 2016 NBA draft, has played for the Nuggets his whole professional career.

Murray’s greatest achievement with the Canadian national team came in 2015 when he and fellow NBA player Dillon Brooks led the team to a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Toronto.