Former Raven Named to Canada’s National Team

June 29, 2021 3 min read

By Jeff Morris

A former Carleton Raven has been named to the roster of Canada’s senior men’s national basketball team for this week’s Olympic qualifying tournament in Victoria, BC.

Aaron Doornekamp, a 35-year-old, 6’7” forward, was named to the 12-man roster at the end of the team’s training camp in Tampa, FL. Doornekamp, who has been playing professionally in Euope since graduating from Carleton in 2009, spent last season with Iberostar Tenerife in Spain. He won national championships with the Ravens in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. In 2008, he was the CIS Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, and he was also the OUA Male Athlete of the Year.

The roster for the qualifying tournament was announced Mon., June 28. The tournament tips off June 29 with Canada facing Greece. The six-team tournament includes Canada, Greece and China in Group A, while Turkey, Czech Republic and Uruguay are in Group B. The top two teams in each group advance to Saturday’s semi-finals. The finals are Sunday. The winner of the tournament earns a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

“Hosting the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament is a great occasion for basketball in our country and the team that’s been selected to represent Canada this week is committed to our goal of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games,” said Rowan Barrett, General Manager / Executive Vice-President, Senior Men’s Program. “On behalf of Canada Basketball and our supporters across Canada, I would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the players and staff for their commitment, sacrifice and pride for our country.”

The Canada Basketball roster includes eight NBA players, and four Canadian professionals playing professionally in other countries. Doornekamp is the only player on the roster who has never played in the NBA or in the NBA’s development leagues. He is also the only player on the team who played college basketball in Canada rather than in the United States.

Doornekamp is a veteran of the Canada Basketball program. He was a member of Canada’s junior national team at the 2005 FIBA Under-21 World Championship, where he won a bronze medal. He has played for Canada’s senior men’s team at the 2007 Pan American Games, the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship, the 2010 FIBA World Championship, the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship, and the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship. In 2015, Doornekamp won a silver medal with the Canadian team at the 2015 Pan American Games, and a bronze medal with Canada at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

Canada is ranked 21^st in the world and is looking for their first Olympic berth since 2000.

Canada Men’s Basketball Roster

Coach: Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, 6’6”, New Orleans Pelicans

R.J. Barrett, G, 6’6”, New York Knicks

Trae Bell-Haynes, G, 6’2”, Crailsheim Merlins (Germany)

Anthony Bennett, F, 6’8”, Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico)

Aaron Doornekamp, F, 6’7”, Iberostar Tenerife (Spain)

Luguentz Dort, G, 6’4”, Oklahoma City Thunder

Cory Joseph, G, 6’3”, Detroit Pistons

Trey Lyles, F, 6’10”, San Antonio Spurs

Mychal Mulder, G, 6’3”, Golden State Warriors