TORONTO (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - The basketball world knows all about the potential of Canada's national team.

This is a country with a very deep talent pool.

Cory Joseph, the San Antonio Spurs guard who led Canada in scoring two years ago at the FIBA Americas Championship in Venezuela, says there is a mindset that he and everyone else in the national squad has to share if it is going to meet expectations.

"In order for us to succeed, we've got to realize we haven't done anything yet," the 23-year-old said.

"We're a young, talented group but we don't have much experience so we've got to be focused and try to soak up as much time together as we can to build chemistry.

"That's what this (Spurs) team has a great deal of, we have a lot of chemistry, and that's why we look so good out there on the court sometimes."

Joseph, who was speaking to the Canadian Press, showed how important he was to the cause in last year's NBA playoffs with San Antonio.

Who else is there to be excited about when it comes to Canada?

For starters, there is a teammate of Joseph's in the 2013 national side, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson. He turns 24 in March.

Thompson, on a star-studded Cleveland Cavaliers team, is averaging 9.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season.

Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson (25) and KK Igokea guard Brady Heslip (24) were in that 2013 Canada side.

While Nicholson has lost playing time this season in Orlando, he is still a tremendous player.

Heslip played for Reno in the D-League this season before moving to Europe in January to join KK Igokea in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In his new country, Heslip has thrived, most recently leading his team to glory in the Bosnia and Herzegovina National Cup.

Heslip poured in 26 points and was named the game's MVP.

Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (23) and the number one pick in last year's NBA Draft, Andrew Wiggins (20) of the Minnesota Timberwolves, are good bets to be with Canada this summer.

Olynyk played for Canada at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Turkey.

There are many more players in the Canada set-up, both inexperienced and veterans, that coach Jay Triano can call upon when he names his squad for the Pan American Games and the FIBA Americas Championship.

The first of those events, the Pan Am Games, will be staged in Toronto and the men's basketball tournament tips off 21 July.

Joseph's place in the team would appear to be secure.

He has developed into an important player for San Antonio and has been hailed for his versatility by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

The 1.93m Joseph, who is in his fourth season and is averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game, can log minutes at the point, shooting guard and small forward.

"He developed his game offensively a little bit more each year," Popovich said.

"He's always been a hard worker and a blue-collar kind of guy that got the most out of his abilities, but he's gained more confidence offensively and done a wonderful job for us."

FIBA