Raptors 905 guard Aaron Best named to Team Canada

As Canada prepares for their Olympic qualifiers for next year’s FIBA World Cup in China, we look at Raptors 905’s Aaron Best and discuss Andrew Wiggins’s absence from Team Canada.

The 18-man training camp invites have been released and among those names we see Raptors 905 guard Aaron Best.

Aaron is a six-foot-four guard who spent 5 seasons with the Ryerson Rams. Best became the first player to ever be drafted into the G-League from the University, which is located in downtown Toronto. Best was selected 42nd overall by the Long Island Nets before getting traded to the Raptors 905 in a deal involving Shannon Scott.

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Ike Iroegbu of the Agua Caliente Clippers, DeQuan Jones of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Michael Bryson of the Iowa Wolves, Aaron Best of the Raptors 905 and Ike Nwamu of the Sioux Falls Skyforce pose for a photo during the 2018 NBA G-League Slam Dunk Contest as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 18, 2018 at Verizon Up Arena in the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Juan OCampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

Best’s accomplishments at Ryerson include being named to CIS second-team All-Canadian, OUA First-Team All-Star and finishing his career third all-time scoring and sixth all-time in rebounding per http://www.ryersonrams.ca/SplashPage.dbml?SPLASH_AD_ID=504448

Aaron also has international experience playing for BC Juventus of the Division 1 League in Lithuania and was a member of Team Canada at the FISU Games in South Korea.

Andrew Wiggins

The Minessota Timberwolves best player will not be joining Team Canada for the FIBA World Olympics. Wiggins, who is the highest paid Canadian basketball player, had received an invite but opted out after careful consideration. Many sources speculate that Wiggins won’t play for Team Canada because of a falling-out with head coach Jay Triano.

Canada Basketball released its deepest and most talented roster ever, but Andrew Wiggins was absent from it, once again. Sources say a rift between him and Jay Triano is among the reasons why: https://t.co/ardw5buACC pic.twitter.com/UrYwa6C1nl
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 28, 2018

Wiggins had this to say when Rob Williams of the Daily Hive asked him about it

"“After much thought, consideration and speaking with my family, I will not be participating in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament with the Canadian Men’s National Team in July.As my third NBA season approaches, I understand my increased role with the Timberwolves and dedication to the upcoming season must have my total focus. We are building a championship contending team, which has always been my goal.This was definitely not an easy decision and I fully support and wish Team Canada nothing but success this summer. “"

The absence of Andrew Wiggins will be felt. However, all will not be lost for Team Canada. They will look to players such as Tristan Thompson, Corey Joseph, Kelly Olynyk, Jamal Murray and Best to give Canada the edge. Our team is currently ranked 23rd in the World.