Robert Sacre nets 12 points for Canada in exhibition game

None of the Lakers will represent Team USA this summer in the FIBA World Cup to be played later in the month in Spain.

Pau Gasol will play for the Spanish national team, but the former Laker is now a member of the Chicago Bulls.

The Lakers are represented internationally by center Robert Sacre, who is playing for Canada’s national team through a series of exhibition games in Europe.

Canada didn’t qualify for the World Cup but will play next summer in the FIBA Americas tournament.

Lakers point guard Steve Nash, while not playing, is the general manager of Canada’s senior men’s team, fielding a roster that includes Kelly Olynyk of the Boston Celtics, Cory Joseph of the San Antonio Spurs and Andrew Nicholson of the Orlando Magic.

On Friday, the Canadian team fell to Croatia, 69-64. Sacre scored 12 points with eight rebounds in almost 22 minutes. Philadelphia 76ers’ draft pick Dario Saric (12th overall pick in June) led the Croatian team with 14 points.

Canadian basketball is on an upswing in the NBA. Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett were the top overall picks in the draft over the past two seasons. Fellow Canadian Nik Stauskas was selected eighth by the Sacramento Kings; Tyler Ennis was the No. 18 pick by the Phoenix Suns.

Other Canadian players include Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Samuel Dalembert of the New York Knicks and Joel Anthony of the Celtics.

Last season, Sacre’s second in the NBA, the 7-foot Laker averaged 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 16.8 minutes a game.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.