After speculation about when newly acquired Sacramento King Cory Joseph would join Team Canada for the FIBA World Cup, it seems as though Joseph will be pulling out of the tournament altogether.
According to Doug Smith, Cory Joseph will not participate in the FIBA World Cup:
NBA source tells me Cory Joseph will NOT play for Canada at the World Cup. Middle of the night in Australia so Canada Basketball comment a few hours away
— Doug Smith: Raptors (@SmithRaps) August 20, 2019
This comes after he reportedly left the team before they played Australia on August 16th.
What Could This Mean?
This could mean that Cory Joseph is focusing on the NBA season instead of risking injury. Joseph could also be looking to get acclimated to Sacramento before getting ready to travel and might need to get rest as well. The Kings will have to travel the third-highest distance in the NBA this season.
For fans, this means that they have to wait until October to see how Cory can help the team this season.
What can Kings Fans expect from Cory Joseph?
For Kings fans who may not know much about Joseph, he is a 6’3″ point guard, who has played for the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and most recently the Indiana Pacers.
Cory Joseph is a guy who is never afraid of the big moment. For example, he made a clutch corner three against the Washington Wizards back in November of 2015.
He also has the hops for a guy at 6 feet 3 inches.
He knows how to set-up teammates.
He is also can play defense.
Nate McMillan on Cory Joseph's standout defense: "Cory has been a big key for us coming off the bench. ... Even though he's a point and somewhat small, we are putting him on these twos and threes that have size over him, and he's doing a good job of making them work." #Pacers pic.twitter.com/0u73eb77xT
— Bally Sports Indiana (@BallySportsIN) December 8, 2018
He also has NBA Playoff experience, which will be beneficial for a young Sacramento Kings team that is looking to make the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons.
Overall, Cory provides much-needed talent at the back-up point guard position, providing defense and scoring off of the bench for a young Sacramento Kings team that will need the boost.