Team Profile: Go time for Canada as they try to sustain Sydney progress

SOPRON (Hungary) - After stepping into the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Semi-Finals, Canada are ready to keep rolling strong on the global stage with a ticket to the Olympic Games. 

 

 

The Roster

One of the biggest boosts for playcaller Victor Lapena will be the return from maternity leave of the experienced Natalie Achonwa and in tandem with the powerful Kayla Alexander, that is a rock solid frontcourt foundation. Laeticia Amihere and young Aaliyah Edwards also continue to grow in influence and that will help with the rotation as well.

The ever impressive Natalie Achonwa is back from maternity leave for the Antwerp mission

Canada will have a big scoring threat in Bridget Carleton, who recently netted 41 points for Serco UNI Gyor in what was the biggest individual points tally in EuroLeague Women for more than two decades. It was also the third highest of the modern era in the competition and included 8 of 10 from long range to underline her three-point capabilities.

 

With Kia Nurse back on board as well, this will be quite the combination. Additional support in terms of other guard options, the main minutes will likely come from Shay Colley and Nirra Fields.

Kia Nurse will make a return to the Canadian backcourt

The Question

Will some of Canada's leading lights have any signs of rust - or will they be able to hit top gear? While the likes of Bridget Carleton and Kayla Alexander have been playing EuroLeague and EuroCup Women respectively, both Natalie Achonwa and Kia Nurse haven't, so it will be interesting to see if they will be at their game-ready best. 

The Hope

Canada have some really nice rising stars coming through and if they can contribute a few good cameos to support the more senior stars, then it suddenly becomes a very deep roster for Coach Lapena. A third of their roster could be post 2000 born.

Coach Lapena led Canada to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2022 Semi-Finals

The Fear

The only fear for Canada is not making the Olympic Games in a 'Group of Death'. They have the coach, the roster and the opportunity. It looks on paper they should do it, so only something out of the ordinary like excessive foul trouble, injury or another piece of bad luck will stop them setting foot in France. 

 IN THE LAST 10 FIBA EVENTS

YEAR	EVENT	LOCATION	ACHIEVEMENT
2023	FIBA Women's AmeriCup	Leon (MEX)	3rd
2022	FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup	Sydney (AUS)	4th
2021	Olympic Games	Tokyo (JPN)	9th
2021	FIBA Women's AmeriCup	San Juan (PUR)	4th
2019	FIBA Women's AmeriCup	San Juan (PUR)	2nd
2018	FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup	Tenerife (ESP)	7th
2017	FIBA Women's AmeriCup	Buenos Aires (ARG)	1st
2016	Olympic Games	Rio (BRA)	7th
2015	FIBA Women's AmeriCup	Edmonton (CAN)	1st
2014	FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup	Istanbul (TUR)	5th

The poll

FIBA