TORONTO, Ont. – September 5, 2018 – Canada Basketball announced its final 12-woman roster for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 led by the likes of New York Liberty guard Kia Nurse.
“After a very competitive training camp, we have a roster that we’re really excited about,” said head coach Lisa Thomaidis.
In the wake of several post-Rio retirements, Thomaidis has turned a page with the inclusion of several rising stars, who will all make their senior debuts at the global level.
All eyes will be on Nurse who has just completed her rookie WNBA season. She is one of three WNBA athletes-Kayla Alexander and Natalie Achonwa-who have punched their ticket. The Hamilton, Ontario product poured in 9.1 points per contest while adding 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 dimes, and 0.6 steals per outing during her rookie campaign.
Thomaidis continued. “We’re looking forward to this next stage of training and competition, where we’ll be able to measure ourselves against some of the best teams in the world prior to competing at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.”
Canada have qualified for their fourth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and ninth in total, having won their second consecutive FIBA Women’s AmeriCup title last summer.
They will compete in Group A and face Greece, Korea and France. Prior to the action in Tenerife, Canada will travel to Connecticut for a two-game exhibition series against Japan and USA. They will then will face France, USA and Senegal in a four-team tournament in Antibes between September 15-17.
Kia Nurse and Team Canada
2017: In her first tournament of the 2017 season with the Senior National Team, she contributed significantly to the Gold Medal win at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. She averaged 21.1 minutes per game, and 10.5 points per game along with 2.2 rebounds per game.
2016: Member of the Rio 2016 Olympic Team who placed 7th in the tournament; was the top performer in the game against Serbia scoring 25 points; averaged 11 points per game, 2.3 assists and 25.6 minutes Played 3 games with the Senior National team in the USA Showcase exhibition tournament, averaging 26.4 minutes and 5.3 points per game.
2015: Member of the 2015 Pan American Games team that won Canada’s first ever gold medal. Averaged 25.5 minutes and 12.8 points per game. Finished 3rd in scoring , 7th for made free throws, 8th in three pointers, and top 10 in assists for the tournament. Played in three exhibition games in Spain averaging 20.33 minutes and 8.0 points per game. Played in three exhibition games in France averaging 27.52 minutes and 11.0 points per game. Helped the SWNT achieve gold at the FIBA Americas, qualifying for Rio 2016 Olympics… Named MVP of the tournament…Averaged 25.3 minutes and 13.0 points per game
2014: Second year playing on the Senior Women’s National Team; averaging over 20 minutes in 8 exhibition games; averaged 6.3 Points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game in the Turkey exhibition tournament…averaged 6.7 points per game in the Czech exhibition tournament…Started in all 7 games at FIBA Worlds averaging 6.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
2013: First year playing on the Senior Women’s National team and competing in all exhibition tournaments and games leading up to FIBA Americas as well as playing in all FIBA America games. Averaged 10 points, 24.67 minutes and 2.50 assists per game in the FIBA Americas tournament and helped solidify Canada’s spot in the 2014 FIBA Worlds Tournament.
2012: Member of the 2012 CWNT that competed at the FIBA U17 World Championships in Amsterdam where they won bronze…was the team leader and 6th overall in the tournament in points per game and …one of the team captains. Member of the 3×3 Team that participated at the 2012 3×3 Youth World Championships held in Spain.
2011: Member of the 2011 U16 Cadette National Team that took part in the U16 FIBA Americas Championships held in Merida, Mexico, placing 3rd.
Team Schedule
Thursday, August 30
12:30 PM – Gym Opens
1:00 PM – Availability
Saturday, September 1
12:30 PM – Gym Opens
1:00 PM – Availability
Tuesday, September 4
12:30 PM – Gym Opens
1:00 PM – Availability
Canada roster for FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018
| Natalie Achonwa | Kayla Alexander | Miranda Ayim | Bridget Carleton |
| Shay Colley | Nirra Fields | Kim Gaucher | Ruth Hamblin |
| Miah-Marie Langlois | Kia Nurse | Michelle Plouffe | Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe |