2026 FIBA World Cup qualifier: SGA helps Canada get 116-78 win over Jamaica

Poking the ball out of Marcus McDonald's pocket, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quickly accelerated to the rim. Even with Tyran De Lattibeaudiere going up for the contest, the two-time MVP scoffed at his courage. He threw down an ultra-rare one-handed jam. The play went viral on social media.

Once again, the talent discrepancy was too wide. Canada cruised to an 116-78 win over Jamaica in the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifier. They led by as many as 41 points and for most of the night. Shouldn't be a shocker as one side housed NBA players and the other didn't.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, five assists and four rebounds. He shot 2-of-5 from 3 and went 2-of-2 on free throws. He also had four steals.

No messing around from Canada in this one. It quickly built up a double-digit lead. Gilgeous-Alexander was more experimental with the variety of outside jumpers he took. Easy to do when you're up 32-15 after the first quarter. It didn't take long for things to avalanche from there.

Canada poured it on Jamaica. There were some wacky numbers on the scoreboard. And even when Canada let off the gas for a bit to end the first half, it still had a huge lead at 57-40 at the halftime break. Alas, the third quarter became a highlight reel for Canada's NBA players. They pushed their advantage beyond 30 points.

By the end of the third quarter, Canada had an 89-55 lead. The fourth quarter turned into garbage time. Gilgeous-Alexander was spotted on the bench chilling and laughing it up with teammates Alexander-Walker and Dillon Brooks. Just like he's typically done on the Oklahoma City Thunder over their last two years of regular-season dominance.

Once again, this was a low-stress, high-fun environment. It resembled a scrimmage more than an international game. Playing in front of his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario and with the TD Coliseum decked out in his logo, Gilgeous-Alexander balled out.

You can tell that Gilgeous-Alexander played at a quarter-speed of his usual self. At one point, he caught a lob from Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a two-on-one fastbreak. At another point, he recorded three steals on three straight possessions. All by making simple poke-outs and reading the passing lanes.

This was Gilgeous-Alexander's version of being a Globetrotter. He only played in 20 minutes and sat out the fourth quarter. Sound familiar? Proclaiming he wants to play an off-ball role for this summer's Canada squad, he was very hands-off as his teammates didn't need him to run away on the scoreboard in this lopsided matchup.

Fun to see Gilgeous-Alexander hoop for a couple of games on Canada. But this should be it for him this summer. They don't play again for another month. And really, the only reason the 27-year-old suited up was to play in front of his hometown. There's a reason why most of the NBA talent on its roster has elected to sit out this summer's games.

Expect Gilgeous-Alexander to play in the next two summers for Canada. It will play in the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. The program is in its golden era as the two-time MVP winner remains at the peak of his powers. As long as he's on the court, they'll always have a puncher's chance against any other country.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifier: SGA helps Canada get 116-78 win over Jamaica