Canada women's national basketball team

The Canada women's national basketball team (French: Équipe du Canada de basketball féminine) represents Canada in international basketball competitions. They are overseen by Canada Basketball, the governing body for basketball in Canada.

Canada
FIBA ranking7 Decrease 2 (August 26, 2024)[1]
FIBA zoneFIBA Americas
National federationCanada Basketball
CoachVíctor Lapeña[2]
Nickname(s)Team Canada
Olympic Games
Appearances8
MedalsNone
World Cup
Appearances12
MedalsBronze Bronze: (1979, 1986)
FIBA AmeriCup
Appearances17
Medals Gold: (1995, 2015, 2017)
Silver: (2013, 2019)
Bronze: (1989, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2023)
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
First international
 Brazil 66–43 Canada 
(Mexico City, Mexico; March 14, 1955)
Biggest win
 Canada 111–36 Dominican Republic 
(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; August 11, 2015)
Biggest defeat
 Canada 51–115 Soviet Union 
(Montreal, Quebec, Canada; July 19, 1976)

History

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2015 Pan American Games

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The Canada women's national basketball team participated in basketball at the 2015 Pan American Games held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from July 10 to 26, 2015. Canada opened the preliminary rounds with an easy 101–38 win over Venezuela. The following day they beat Argentina 73–58. The final preliminary game was against Cuba; both teams were 2–0, so the winner would win the group. The game went down to the wire with Canada eking out a 71–68 win.[3] Canada would face Brazil in the semi-final.

Canada opened the semi-final with an 11–2 run on seven consecutive points by Miranda Ayim. Miah-Marie Langlois contributed five assists. In the third quarter Canada strongly out rebounded Brazil and hit 69% of their field goals to score 33 points in the quarter. Lizanne Murphy and Nirra Fields hit three-pointers to help extend the lead to 68–39 at the end of three-quarters. Canada continued to dominate in the fourth quarter with three-pointers by Nurse and Kim Gaucher. Canada went on to win the game 91–63 to earn a spot in the gold-medal game against the United States.[4]

The gold-medal game matched up the host team Canada against the United States, in a sold-out arena dominated by fans in red and white and waving the Canadian flag. The Canadian team, arm in arm, sang "O Canada" as the respective national anthems were played.

After trading baskets early the U.S. edged out to a double-digit lead in the second quarter. However the Canadians, with the home crowd cheering, tied up the game at halftime. In the third quarter Canada outscored the U.S. 26–15. The lead would reach as high as 18 points. The U.S. would fight back, but not all the way and Canada won the game and the gold-medal 81–73. It was Canada's first gold-medal in basketball in the Pan American games. Kia Nurse was the star for Canada with 33 points, hitting 11 of her 12 free-throw attempts in 10 of her 17 field-goal attempts including two of three three-pointers.[5][6][7][8]

2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship

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Canada participated at the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship, a qualifying event used to determine invitations to the 2016 Olympics. The games were held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in August 2015. Canada was assigned to Group A and played Puerto Rico, Chile, the Dominican Republic and Cuba in the preliminary rounds. Canada won the first three games easily with a 94–57 win over Puerto Rico as the closest match. The final preliminary round game was against undefeated Cuba, a team Canada had faced in the Pan American games. Cuba played well in that event and was expected to challenge Canada. However, Canada defeated Cuba 92–43 to win first place in the group for a spot in the semi-final against the second-place team in group B, Brazil.[9]

The semi-final game against Brazil was much closer. Canada led by only six points at halftime but gradually expanded the lead to end up with an 83–66 win, and a spot in the gold-medal game.[10] The gold-medal game was a rematch with Cuba who won their semi-final game against Argentina. Despite the lopsided result in the preliminary rounds, Canada expected a closer game. Cuba started off strong and had an eight-point lead early in the game. Canada responded with a 16–0 run to take over the lead, but Cuba responded and took a small lead early in the second half. Then Canada took the lead back and gradually expanded the lead to end up with the win, 82–66. As the game wound down to the close, the crowd was chanting "Rio","Rio","Rio" in recognition of the fact that the win qualifies Canada for the Olympics in Rio in 2016.[11][12]

2017–2020

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Coming off a gold medal at the 13th edition of the FIBA Women's AmeriCup, Canada entered the 2017 FIBA Women's AmeriCup as favourites. They finished group play with a 4–0 record, and advanced to the semifinals. In the finals, they would beat host nation Argentina 65–67 to win their second straight title. Nirra Fields was named MVP of the tournament. By virtue of finishing top three, they also qualified for 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

The Canadians made their debut at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, narrowly missing out on a podium finish, losing to New Zealand 74–68 in the third place game.

Trying to build off their third best showing at FIBA's premier international tournament, Canada entered the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup being drawn in Group A, with France, Greece, and South Korea. Canada went as far as the quarterfinals, where they lost 53–68 to Spain.

Canada had one last change to qualify for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, participating at the 2020 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments – Ostend. Canada would go on to top their group and qualified to the 2020 Summer Olympics.

In Tokyo, Canada were drawn to Group A with Spain, Serbia, and South Korea. They would finish with a 1–2 record with their only win against South Korea.

2021–present

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With the approaching 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, Canada Basketball hired Fenerbahçe head coach Víctor Lapeña to lead its women's program through the World Cup and possibly the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[13]

At the 19th edition of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Canada was drawn in Group B. They ended group play with a 4–1 record, with their only loss being to group leaders Australia. In the knockout stage, Canada advanced all the way to the semifinals where they would eventually lose 43–83 to the United States. In the third place game, Canada fell 95-65 to Australia. The 4th place finish was Team Canada's best showing since winning bronze at the 1986 FIBA World Championship for Women. With her efforts in the tournament, Bridget Carleton was named to the All-Tournament Team.

In 2023, Canada participated at the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, where they were drawn into Group B. In the preliminary round, they would go on to top their group with a perfect 4–0 record, advancing to the quarterfinals. In the knockout stage, they would beat Argentina, and then lose a nail-biter to the United States, in the semifinals. In the third place game, Canada would beat Puerto Rico 73–80 to win the bronze medal.

By finishing as one of the top five teams in the tournament, Canada qualified to the FIBA Americas Women's Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

Competitive record

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Summer Olympics

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FIBA Women's World Cup

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FIBA Women's AmeriCup

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Pan American Games

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  • 1955 – 5th place
  • 1959 – 4th place
  • 1963 – 4th place
  • 1967 –   Third place
  • 1971 – 5th place
  • 1975 – 5th place
  • 1979 –   Third place
  • 1983 – 4th place
  • 1987 –   Third place
  • 1991 – 4th place
  • 1995 – Cancelled
  • 1999  Second place
  • 2003 – 4th place
  • 2007 – 4th place
  • 2011 – 6th place
  • 2015  First place
  • 2019 – 6th place

Commonwealth Games

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Results and fixtures

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  Win   Loss   Fixture

2023

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2 July 2023 Canada   83–57   Mexico Léon, Mexico
20:10 Scoring by quarter: 23–7, 11–14, 27–14, 22–22
Pts: Colley 19
Rebs: Alexander 18
Asts: Colley 4
Boxscore Pts: Payán 10
Rebs: Luna, Ramos 6
Asts: Gallegos 3
Arena: Domo de la Feria
Referees: Ashley Gloss (USA), Fernando Leite (BRA), Micaela Prado (ARG)
3 July 2023   Puerto Rico 47–84 Canada   Léon, Mexico
20:10 Scoring by quarter: 16–19, 12–15, 14–25, 5–25
Pts: Hollingshed, O'Neill 10
Rebs: Hollingshed 8
Asts: San Antonio 5
Boxscore Pts: Edwards 14
Rebs: Alexander 13
Asts: Colley, Edwards 5
Arena: Domo de la Feria
Referees: Juan Fernández (ARG), Fernando Leite (BRA), Franco Anselmo (ARG)
4 July 2023 Canada   89–55   Colombia Léon, Mexico
17:40 Scoring by quarter: 22–14, 25–19, 23–9, 19–13
Pts: Fields 15
Rebs: Alexander 10
Asts: Edwards, Prosper 4
Boxscore Pts: Delgado 22
Rebs: Paz 9
Asts: López 3
Arena: Domo de la Feria
Referees: Juan Fernández (ARG), Ashley Gloss (USA), Leydys Castellón (CUB)
5 July 2023   Dominican Republic 48–88 Canada   Léon, Mexico
14:40 Scoring by quarter: 7–22, 18–19, 10–23, 13–24
Pts: Jiménez 13
Rebs: De los Santos 5
Asts: De los Santos 3
Boxscore Pts: Prosper 13
Rebs: Alexander 11
Asts: three players 4
Arena: Domo de la Feria
Referees: Ashley Gloss (USA), Micaela Prado (ARG), Larissa Rodrigues (BRA)
7 July 2023 Canada   68–60   Argentina Léon, Mexico
17:40 Scoring by quarter: 18–20, 20–10, 16–21, 14–9
Pts: Fields 22
Rebs: Edwards 16
Asts: Colley 7
Boxscore Pts: Mungo 12
Rebs: Chagas 6
Asts: Chagas 3
Arena: Domo de la Feria
Referees: Daniel García (VEN), Krishna Domínguez (MEX), Orlando Varela (HON)
8 July 2023 Canada   63–67   United States Léon, Mexico
20:10 Scoring by quarter: 17–22, 12–17, 21–15, 13–13
Pts: Alexander 17
Rebs: Edwards 11
Asts: Colley, 3
Boxscore Pts: Betts 12
Rebs: Reese 13
Asts: Johnson 3
Arena: Domo de la Feria
Referees: Juan Fernández (ARG), Kristian Paez (ECU), Franco Anselmo (ARG)
9 July 2023   Puerto Rico 73–80 Canada   Léon, Mexico
15:30 Scoring by quarter: 17–22, 20–16, 21–26, 15–16
Pts: Guirantes 27
Rebs: Hollingshed 8
Asts: Guirantes 5
Boxscore Pts: Fields 19
Rebs: Alexander 19
Asts: Hill 5
Arena: Domo de la Feria
Referees: Krishna Domínguez (MEX), Felipe Ibarra (CHI), Micaela Prado (ARG)

2024

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February 8, 2024 Hungary   55–67   Canada Sopron, Hungary
19:00 Scoring by quarter: 11-25, 19-16, 9-14, 16-12
Boxscore Arena: Aréna Sopron
February 9, 2024 Canada   55–60   Spain Sopron, Hungary
15:30
Boxscore Arena: Aréna Sopron
February 11, 2024 Canada   82–86   Japan Sopron, Hungary
15:00 Scoring by quarter: 20-20, 26-30, 21-20, 15-16
Boxscore Arena: Aréna Sopron
29 July 2024 Canada   54–75   France Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Lille
17:15 Scoring by quarter: 18-15, 2-23, 16-15, 18-21
Pts: Colley, Nurse 11
Rebs: Alexander 10
Asts: Colley 6
Boxscore Pts: Badiane 13
Rebs: Badiane 6
Asts: Williams 8
Attendance: 20,211
Referees: Boris Krejić (SLO), Blanca Burns (USA), Ariadna Chueca (ESP)
1 August 2024 Australia   70–65   Canada Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Lille
13:30 Scoring by quarter: 18-16, 20-16, 13-12, 19-21
Boxscore

Team

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Current roster

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Roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[14]

Canada women's national basketball team roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr.
G 2 Shay Colley 28 – (1996-01-06)6 January 1996 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) Tango Bourges Basket  
G 4 Sami Hill 29 – (1994-11-22)22 November 1994 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Araski  
G 5 Kia Nurse 28 – (1996-02-22)22 February 1996 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Los Angeles Sparks  
SF 6 Bridget Carleton 27 – (1997-05-22)22 May 1997 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Minnesota Lynx  
G 8 Cassandre Prosper 19 – (2005-06-25)25 June 2005 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Notre Dame Fighting Irish  
PF 9 Yvonne Ejim 22 – (2002-04-09)9 April 2002 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Gonzaga Bulldogs  
C 11 Natalie Achonwa (C) 31 – (1992-11-22)22 November 1992 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Free agent
G 12 Syla Swords 18 – (2006-01-28)28 January 2006 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Michigan Wolverines  
C 14 Kayla Alexander 33 – (1991-01-05)5 January 1991 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Valencia Basket  
F 15 Laeticia Amihere 23 – (2001-07-10)10 July 2001 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Atlanta Dream  
G 21 Nirra Fields 30 – (1993-12-03)3 December 1993 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) Emlak Konut SK  
F 24 Aaliyah Edwards 22 – (2002-07-09)9 July 2002 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Washington Mystics  
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the tournament
  • Age – describes age
    on July 27, 2024

Head coaches

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. August 26, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  2. ^ "Víctor Lapeña Named Head Coach, Noelle Quinn Lead Assistant Coach of Canada's Senior Women's National Team". Basketball Canada. January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "2015 Women's Pan American Games Schedule". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  4. ^ "WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM TOPS BRAZIL 91–63 TO MOVE ON TO TORONTO 2015 FINAL". CANADA BASKETBALL. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  5. ^ "U.S. Women Collect Silver at Pan American Games After Falling To Host Canada 81–73". USA Basketball. July 20, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.[dead link]
  6. ^ "U.S. Women Collect Silver at Pan American Games After Falling To Host Canada 81–73". USA Basketball. July 20, 2015. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  7. ^ Caple, Jim. "Battle of UConn Hoops Stars Goes To Canada in Pan Am Final". ESPN. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  8. ^ Smith, Doug (July 20, 2015). "Canada wins historic Pan Am women's basketball gold". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  9. ^ "Schedulae and Results". fibaamericas.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  10. ^ "Schedule and Results". fibaamericas.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  11. ^ "Schedule and Results". fibaamericas.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  12. ^ "Canada is the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Champion!". fibaamericas.com. August 16, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  13. ^ "Spaniard Lapena hired as Canadian women's basketball head coach - TSN.ca". TSN. The Canadian Press. January 6, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  14. ^ "Team Canada's Paris 2024 women's basketball team unveiled". basketball.ca. Canada Basketball. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
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