Canada women's national basketball team

Women's national basketball team representing Canada

Canada
FIBA ranking5 Steady (February 15, 2024)[1]
FIBA zoneFIBA Americas
National federationCanada Basketball
CoachVíctor Lapeña[2]
Nickname(s)Team Canada
Olympic Games
Appearances7
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)

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.

History

2015 Pan American Games

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

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

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

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

Summer Olympics

FIBA Women's World Cup

FIBA Women's AmeriCup

  • 1989 – Third place
  • 1993 – Third place
  • 1995 – First place
  • 1997 – 5th place
  • 1999 – Third place
  • 2001 – 4th place
  • 2003 – Third place
  • 2005 – Third place
  • 2007 – 5th place
  • 2009 – Third place
  • 2011 – Third place
  • 2013 – Second place
  • 2015 – First place
  • 2017 – First place
  • 2019 – Second place
  • 2021 – 4th place
  • 2023 – Third place

Pan American Games

  • 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

Results and fixtures

  Win   Loss   Fixture

2023

Canada  v  Mexico
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)
 Puerto Rico v Canada 
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)
Canada  v  Colombia
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)
 Dominican Republic v Canada 
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)
Canada  v  Argentina
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)
Canada  v  United States
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)
 Puerto Rico v Canada 
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

Hungary  v  Canada
February 8, 2024 Hungary  vs.  Canada Sopron, Hungary
19:00
Boxscore Arena: Aréna Sopron
Canada  v  Spain
February 9, 2024 Canada  vs.  Spain Sopron, Hungary
15:30
Boxscore Arena: Aréna Sopron
Canada  v  Japan
February 11, 2024 Canada  vs.  Japan Sopron, Hungary
15:00
Boxscore Arena: Aréna Sopron

Team

Current roster

Roster for the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup.[14][15]

Canada women's national basketball team roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr.
G 1 Aislinn Konig 25 – (1998-05-20)20 May 1998 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) UCAM Jairis Alcantarilla Spain
G 2 Shay Colley 27 – (1996-06-01)1 June 1996 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) Flammes Carolo Basket France
F 3 Merissah Russell 21 – (2002-03-03)3 March 2002 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Louisville Cardinals United States
G 4 Sami Hill 28 – (1994-11-22)22 November 1994 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Araski AES Spain
F 8 Cassandre Prosper 18 – (2005-06-25)25 June 2005 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Notre Dame Fighting Irish United States
F 9 Yvonne Ejim 21 – (2002-04-09)9 April 2002 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Gonzaga Bulldogs United States
C 10 Emily Potter 27 – (1995-10-10)10 October 1995 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Perth Lynx Australia
G 12 Syla Swords 17 – (2006-01-28)28 January 2006 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Long Island Lutheran HS United States
C 14 Kayla Alexander 32 – (1991-01-05)5 January 1991 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Tango Bourges Basket France
G 21 Nirra Fields 29 – (1993-12-03)3 December 1993 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) Emlak Konut SK Turkey
F 24 Aaliyah Edwards 20 – (2002-07-09)9 July 2002 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) UConn Huskies United States
G 30 Taya Hanson 23 – (2000-06-14)14 June 2000 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) TKH Basketball Germany
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • Club – describes last
    club before the tournament
  • Age – describes age
    on July 1, 2023

Head coaches

See also

  • Sports portal
  • flagCanada portal

References

  1. ^ "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 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. ^ "Senior Women's National Team roster announced for FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2023". basketball.ca. Canada Basketball. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  15. ^ "Team Roster: Canada". fiba.basketball. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.

External links

  • Official website Edit this at Wikidata
  • FIBA profile
  • USBasket.com – Canada Women National Team
  • Archived records of Canada team participations
  • v
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  • v
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National women's basketball teams of the Americas (FIBA Americas)