Team Canada fails to secure Olympic berth despite 34 points from Kelly Olynyk

Kelly Olynyk did his best to help Team Canada qualify for the Olympics, but the team fell short in part due to a questionable foul call. Canada will still get another shot at qualifying.

Kelly Olynyk scored 34 points but Team Canada lose to Venezuela 79-78, have to try to qualify for Rio Olympics next year. Olynyk: 11-13 FGS

— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 12, 2015

It is encouraging to hear that Olynyk played so well for his home country.

Canada blows chance at Olympic berth " NBA.com | Hang Time Blog with Sekou Smith

Olynyk led all scorers with 34 points on 11-for-13 shooting, adding 13 rebounds. Brady Heslip (10 points) was the only other Canadian in double figures. Andrew Wiggins scored nine points on 4-for-11 shooting, while Anthony Bennett went scoreless in 16 minutes. Olynyk and Wiggins combined for 10 turnovers.

Canada loses heartbreaker to Venezuela in FIBA Americas semifinal | Toronto Star

There were 17 turnovers, many ghastly and unforced; there were a dozen loose balls that weren’t corralled, there were missed rebounds and a general malaise that was in stark contrast to the way Canada had played each night for more than a week. Nerves? Perhaps. "It seemed like we were a little bit unsure, said Triano. "I think this is a great experience for our young kids, Kelly (Olynyk, masterful with 34 points) is one of our most veteran guys, he’s been here before . . . a lot of these other guys have not been in this climate."

Hopefully this experience builds upon some of Kelly's NBA experience to give him a shot at hitting the ground running this year.  Clearly he'll have to scrape to get playing time in a crowded frontcourt.  But he's got the talent to excel and has a good opportunity to carve out a larger role in the offense.