If Sixers' center Samuel Dalembert has his way, his season will start in August as he makes his debut for the Canadian national team as it participates in the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament from Aug. 22 to Sept. 2 in Las Vegas.

But in order for the 6-foot-11 centre to be able to play he needs to establish Canadian citizenship, which is far from a done deal. Born in Haiti, Dalembert, 26, followed his parents to Montreal as a 13-year-old but has studied and worked in the United States since he was 15 in pursuit of his NBA dream.

He began pursuit of his Canadian dream in earnest last week as he spent several days in Toronto trying to join Steve Nash and Jamaal Magloire as the only Canadian citizens playing in the NBA.

Via Globe And Mail

Toronto Raptors

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