Spurs draft pick Cory Joseph joins Canadian hoops squad

The Canadian men’s national basketball team got an infusion of talent Wednesday.

Cory Joseph, a first-round pick at this year’s NBA draft, has announced he will join the squad ahead of the FIBA Americas men’s championship in Argentina.

“It’s an honour to play for your country and I’m excited to get on the floor and represent Canada as best as I can,” said Joseph, who was taken 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in June. “I know we have a young, great group, with Joel (Anthony), (Carl) English and (Andy) Rautins coming in.

“Hopefully we come back with the gold, but if not, qualify for the Olympics.”

Joseph will join the team for the second phase of its summer program, which gets underway Friday at Ryerson University in Toronto.

The Pickering, Ont., native averaged 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and three assists per game last season as a freshman with the Texas Longhorns of the NCAA when he was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team.