This past summer, Canada fell one game short of qualifying for the Rio Summer Olympics, losing 83-74 to France with a berth on the line.  Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson was one of the players that joined the team and now he’s calling out those that didn’t to help Canada qualify for International tournaments in the future.

"(It should) challenge the guys who didn’t play to next time when the country calls," Thompson told ESPN. "Step up and play."

Many of Canada’s best players were absent from the tournament held in the Philippines, including Andrew Wiggins, Jamal Murray, Andrew Nicholson, Dwight Powell and Nik Stauskas.  

The Canadian side was led by Thompson, Cory Joseph, Tyler Ennis and Anthony Bennett.  They earned victories over Turkey, Senegal and New Zealand before falling to France in the final.

Looking towards the next two major international basketball tournaments, 2019 FIBA World Cup in China and 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Thompson plans to speak to players himself to get them more interested in being part of the Canadian effort.

"Next time when it comes around, we’ll give them a call and hopefully they’ll show up," said Thompson. “Shoot, if I say I’m playing that’s enough recruiting right there.  If me and Cory say we both going to play, that’s enough. Join something special."