The Canadian men's basketball team is hoping to win its first-ever gold medal in the Paris Olympics.

Team Canada got one step closer to achieving that goal when it qualified for the knockout round, which begins with the quarterfinals on Tuesday. And while the bracket is not yet finalized, the path to a gold medal will likely go through the United States.

But that's fine by OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who helped Team Canada earn a 3-0 record in group play and establish itself as one of Team USA's biggest threats.

"We're coming here to play the best talent and the best teams in the world," Gilgeous-Alexander said during an interview with NBC's Mike Tirico on Saturday. "(Team USA) is at the top of it, so of course it'd be fun."

The United States earned an 86-72 win over Canada in a USA Basketball Showcase exhibition game in Las Vegas on July 10.

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Anthony Davis led the star-studded United States team with 10 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks off the bench. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 10 points and four rebounds, while fellow OKC guard Lu Dort went scoreless off the bench.

The United States won all five of its exhibition games leading up to the Olympics, and it has continued its dominant play in Paris. It went 3-0 in Group C play and secured the No. 1 seed in the knockout round.

"They play to their strengths," Gilgeous-Alexander said of Team USA. "They're obviously very talented, very deep. You almost have to make no mistakes and play a perfect game when you play against them."

But Canada has also looked dominant show far in Paris. It won all three of its games in a stacked Group A that consisted of Australia, Greece and Spain.

And as Canada prepares for its run in the knockout round, Gilgeous-Alexander is confident in his team.

"We have a lot of talent, and we know that," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "We all want to win, so we're giving up whatever it takes to get to the final goal. ... As far as Canada, we'll be ready for whoever we see."

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander eyes possible Canada vs USA basketball matchup