Scrubb Bros. happy to fly halfway around world to play for Canada

The Scrubbs would never consider saying no.

“It’s hard to describe,” Phil said. “It was always a dream to play for my country when I was growing up, and as soon as I got the opportunity — I think my first experience I’d just got out of high school with the U18 team — and ever since then, every time I have the opportunity to play, I love playing with those guys and just being around the team.”

The Canadians had two days of practice before nine hours of travel to Caracas, where they face host Venezuela on Friday to begin the fifth and penultimate window of World Cup qualifying. From there, it’s another 11 hours of travel to Sao Paolo to play Brazil three days later.

Carleton coach Dave Smart wasn’t surprised the Scrubbs were keen to play.

“Their pro careers matter, but their country matters more,” said Smart.

In the new and complicated qualifying format, the combination of a win and a Dominican Republic loss would punch Canada’s ticket to next summer’s World Cup in China. It would be the Canadians’ first World Cup appearance since they went 0-5 to finish 22nd out of 24 teams in 2010.

What’s impressive about this group’s commitment is that even though they’re doing much of the heavy lifting, Canada’s World Cup roster come this summer will look markedly different.

“I think a lot of the guys that are playing in these games know that it might happen,” Phil said on possibly being left off the World Cup team. “And they still come anyway. Which is great. Canada Basketball has done a good job of being honest, and making sure we all feel like we’re a part of the team, even though some guys might not be there in different windows.”

Canada’s revolving-door roster has seen 34 players (and three different head coaches) suit up in qualifying, second in the Americas only to the United States (36).

That’s because NBA, Euroleague or NCAA players were only available for certain windows. It much different from soccer, in which leagues break for World Cup qualifying to allow their top players to represent their countries. Basketball doesn’t have designated “international dates.”

It’s made for a tough task building rosters. But Canadian coach Roy Rana has seen a plus side as well.

“In my decade-plus of involvement in our national team program, I have never felt and witnessed a more powerful connection and commitment from the players that are with us, and the many who could not be,” Rana said. “It really feels like we are building something special.”

Smart concurred.

“I think without question there’s a collective buy-in, and the guys who are playing, my three (former Ravens), Kaza (Kajami-Keane), Tommy and Phil, they’re special guys,” the coach said. “But the other guys who are playing too, to a person they’re really character country-first people.”

The Brothers Scrubb, who won five national titles together with Carleton, are looking forward to stepping on the floor together again. The Richmond, B.C., siblings grew up in a basketball family. Dad Lloyd played for UBC, while mom Diane Murphy, who died of cancer in 2010 when Phil was in his rookie season at Carleton, played for Bishop’s. The two played together at Vancouver College (high school) before Carleton.

“I think since we’ve been pros, we’ve always wanted to play on a team together again like we did at Carleton, but it hasn’t really worked out,” said Thomas Scrubb. “So even though the national team is only a few times a year, it’s always great to be together again.”

The 26-year-old Phil, a three-time Canadian university player of the year, began his pro career with AEK Athens before three seasons with Skyliners Frankfurt in Germany. This is his first season in Russia. He doesn’t mind the nomadic life.

“It’s a great way to avoid getting a real job right now. I get to just play basketball and meet new people, and you have a lot of free time to do whatever you want outside of practice, which is great,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll play as long as I can.”

The 27-year-old Thomas had stints in Finland and Germany and is now with Pallacanestro Varese. Just north of Milan in Northern Italy, Varese is a resort town of vineyards and castles that butts up against the Swiss Alps. “It’s a lot of really peaceful, really quiet country,” said Thomas. George Clooney has a summer home on nearby Lake Como.

Games at the 5,300-seat Palasport Lino Ordrini regularly sell out.

“The crowds are pretty intense so it really adds to the experience,” said Thomas, a 6-7 forward. “If we’re winning or things are going well, it’s pretty upbeat. But it can turn quickly. And also on the refs too. They really get on the refs if they make a questionable call.

“It’s pretty entertaining. Screaming, lots of hand motions,” he added, with a chuckle.

The Scrubbs know they’ll face much of the same in South America.

“I’ll be used to it. It’s not going to be anything new,” Thomas said. “Out of all the places in the world, Italy probably has some of the craziest fans I think.”

Added Phil: “Both Venezuela and Brazil are passionate about basketball . . . We’ve got to be ready to match their energy and kind of enjoy it.”

Canada (7-1) sits atop Group F, and is followed by Venezuela (7-1), Brazil (6-2), the Dominican Republic (5-3), U.S. Virgin Islands (2-6), and Chile (1-7).

Canada will play two final games in St. John’s, N.L., against Chile on Feb. 21 and Venezuela on Feb. 24.

The top three teams from each group and the best four-placed team between Group E and F will be World Cup-bound.

Lori Ewing , The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Scrubb Bros. happy to fly halfway around world to play for Canada

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