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Report: Thompson to play for Canada in Olympic qualifier

David Richard / USA TODAY Sports

Team Canada's hopes of qualifying for this summer's Olympics in Rio just received a major boost.

Fresh off an NBA championship, Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson will don the red and white for Canada's qualifying tournament in early July, sources told Cleveland.com's Chris Haynes.

The Canadians had a golden opportunity to punch their ticket to Rio at last summer's FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City, but suffered a gutting last-second loss to Venezuela in the semifinals. They would've automatically qualified for the Olympics with a finals berth.

Instead, they'll have to win their qualifying tournament in Manila to get to Rio, and with France, Turkey, and New Zealand playing in the same tournament, they face a tall task, particularly with Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Andrew Wiggins taking a pass. The French team will be missing several key players, too, but should still be a formidable foe.

As a restricted free-agent engaged in drawn-out negotiations with the Cavs last summer, Thompson did not participate in the FIBA Americas tournament. Cory Joseph, Thompson's former Texas teammate and current Toronto Raptors point guard, is also expected to participate.

The qualifier will run from July 4-10.

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