The Canadian women’s basketball team clinched a decisive 83-53 victory over Mexico in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, taking a significant step towards qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This win also secured Canada’s exclusive spot in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2028, the final hurdle for earning a place in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Kayla Alexander led the charge for Canada with 14 points, complemented by four rebounds and three assists. Agot Makeer contributed 13 points on an impressive 5-of-7 shooting, along with three rebounds and three assists without any turnovers.
The Canadian women dominated the tournament with a flawless 5-0 record, triumphing over Senegal, the Philippines, Mexico, and New Zealand before defeating the host nation in the final match.
Head coach Nell Fortner expressed her pride in the team’s achievement, 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.” Fortner highlighted the successful integration of young players and veterans, emphasizing their exceptional teamwork during the tournament.
Syla Swords contributed 12 points, while Yvonne Ejim showcased an impressive performance with a double-double of 10 points and 17 rebounds. Ejim also added two assists and a block, earning a game-high efficiency rating of 22 and a remarkable plus-32 rating.
Fortner attributed the team’s success to a strategic defensive approach, 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.” She highlighted the team’s focus on limiting three-point attempts, which proved pivotal in securing the victory.
Overall, Canada’s exceptional performance in the tournament solidified their position as a formidable contender on the international basketball stage, setting a promising trajectory for their Olympic aspirations.
