TURNING CANADIAN

Matt Bonner takes a
sweet jumper in file
photo.

Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs eagerly awaits the decision on whether he will be a Canadian citizen or not by August 26, according to TheGlobeAndMail.com. Bonner hopes to play for Canada in the coming FIBA World Basketball Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, which starts on August 28. Bonner, who is married to a Canadian woman and lives in Toronto, and Canada Basketball has re-submitted his application for citizenship after his first request was turned down by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Canada Basketball Managing Director Maurizio Gherardini remains hopeful that the application will be approved before the said date.

“We’ve tried all that we could so far, we just hope that people realize that there’s not too much time left, and that he would be unbelievable piece to add to this team. Matt is committed. Someone else, at this stage, probably would’ve given up. You’re talking about a guy who feels very Canadian.”