The Canadian women’s basketball team emerged victorious with an 83-53 win over Mexico in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Guadalajara. This triumph propels Canada closer to securing a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
By clinching the tournament, Canada also secured the sole entry in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2028, the final phase of qualification for the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Key contributors for Canada included Kayla Alexander, who delivered 14 points along with four rebounds and three assists. Agot Makeer contributed 13 points on an impressive 5-of-7 shooting, also grabbing three rebounds and dishing out three assists without any turnovers.
The Canadian team displayed dominance throughout the tournament, achieving a perfect 5-0 record by defeating Senegal, the Philippines, Mexico, and New Zealand before sealing the title with a victory over the host nation in the final match.
Head coach Nell Fortner expressed her satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “The goal all summer long was to win this tournament, and we did that. We did it in fine fashion today. I’m super proud of my team.”
Syla Swords added 12 points to the scoreboard, while Yvonne Ejim showcased an impressive performance with a 10-point, 17-rebound double-double. Ejim’s contributions also included two assists and a block, earning her a game-high efficiency rating of 22 and a remarkable plus-32 rating.
Fortner highlighted the team’s defensive strategy as a key factor in their success, stating, “We played them differently defensively, and it really shut down their offense. Our defense creates our offense, and it did that in a big way today.”
The Canadian women’s team’s cohesive gameplay, blending young talents with experienced players, proved instrumental in their tournament victory.
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