-Courtesy of Canada Basketball
Samuel Dalembert of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers became the latest member of Canada's Senior Men's National Basketball Team Tuesday after becoming a Canadian citizen earlier in the day at a swearing-in ceremony in Hamilton, Ontario. Dalembert, was born in Port-Au-Prince Haiti, but moved to Montréal where he won a Quebec High School Championship and played on Quebec's provincial basketball team before completing his schooling in the United States and attending Seaton Hall on a NCAA scholarship. Dalembert has kept his strong ties to Canada, with his family continuing to live in the Montréal area.
Dalembert is a six-year NBA veteran, all with Philadelphia, who averaged a career best 10.7 points and 8.9 rebounds in the 2006-07 season. A 6'11" center, with great athleticism, Dalembert was Philadelphia's first round (26th overall) pick in the 2001 NBA draft.
"I wanted to join the Canadian Team in 2003 but had a surgery and out for their season and so it didn't work out," said Dalembert. "But in the back of my mind I knew I always wanted to play for Canada and this time it worked out and just seemed to fit. To have the chance to play in the Olympics is really something special."
Dalembert, making his national team debut, was also one of four Philadelphia 76ers listed on the All-Star Ballot. He is one of three Canadians currently playing in the NBA alongside Steve Nash and Jamaal Magloire.
"Having Sam join our team is a major coup for Canada Basketball for several reasons," commented Canadian Head Coach Leo Rautins. "Sam is not only an active, young, intelligent, skilled, and very athletic seven-footer, that gives us tremendous options at both ends of the floor, but he is also someone that is passionate about playing for Canada. His desire and enthusiasm are genuine, and extremely infectious! Sam is a humble but driven individual, that has stepped up to lead the charge of helping Canada assume its place among the best in the world."
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