Wheelchair Basketball Canada has unveiled the rosters for its men’s and women’s teams set to compete in the upcoming world championships in Ottawa. The women’s team will feature a mix of experienced players, including Kady Dandeneau, Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai, Tara Llanes, Cindy Ouellet, Tamara Steeves, Elodie Tessier, and Arinn Young, all returning from the fourth-place Paralympic team in 2024. Additionally, Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Mercy Nyakundi, and Bethany Johnson have been selected to join the squad.
In the 2022 championships, Canada finished fifth, with their last podium appearance dating back to 2014 when the women clinched gold in Toronto. Meanwhile, the men’s team will see the return of seven players who previously competed in both the Paralympic Games and the 2022 worlds, namely Reed De’Aeth, Nik Goncin, Colin Higgins, Lee Melymick, Tyler Miller, Blaise Mutware, and Garrett Ostepchuk. They will be joined by newcomers Josh Brown, Ibrahim Odza, Kyrell Sopotyk, Lionel Tamoki, and Brandon Louie.
The Canadian men, who secured a sixth-place finish in the 2022 worlds, last claimed gold in 2006. The world championships, scheduled from Sept. 9-19, will also play a crucial role in determining the allocation of spots each zone will receive for the 2028 Paralympic Games.