Rio bound Canada and China to go Head-to-Head In Three Game Exhibition Play

TORONTO, ON (June 28, 2016) – Canada Basketball is pleased to announce the 18 athletes that have been invited to participate in the Women’s National Team Phase 2 camp in Edmonton, AB from June 29th -July 12th.

“We made very good progress in phase 1 re-connecting our national team athletes and assessing our senior team and systems,” said Denise Dignard, Director, Women’s High Performance. “We look forward to hosting China in these important pre-Rio exhibition games.”

Fresh off of their 4-1exhibition run in France and Spain, the 2015 back-to-back gold medalists will reunite on June 29th for the second phase of training.

Canada will host China for the Edmonton Grads International Classic (EGIC) from July 9th-11th at the Saville Community Sports Centre. China recently qualified for the Olympics in the last-chance tournament and will again face Canada in Olympic pool-play. Tickets for the EGIC are now available, click here to purchase.

The final Olympic roster will be announced during phase 3 of training camp, which tips-off July 22nd in Toronto, ON. The team will then head to the U.S. for the 2016 USA Basketball Showcase before heading to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games from August 5th -22nd.

The full list of athletes, staff and schedule as of Phase 2:

NAMEPOSITIONHEIGHT HOMETOWN2015-16 CLUB/SCHOOL
Natalie Achonwa*Power Forward6’3”Guelph, ONIndiana Fever (WNBA)
Miranda AyimPower Forward6’3”London, ONBasket Landes (France)
Adut Bulgak*Centre6’4”Edmonton, ABNew York Liberty (WNBA)
Bridget CarletonGuard6’1Chatham, ONIowa State (NCAA)
Laura DallyGuard6’0”Sarnia, ONSaskatchewan (CIS)
Nirra FieldsGuard5’6”Montreal, QCPhoenix (WNBA)/UCLA (NCAA)
Kim GaucherShooting Guard6’1”Mission, BCMondeville (France)
Ruth Hamblin*Centre6’6”Houston, BCDallas Wings (WNBA)
Miah-Marie LangloisPoint Guard5’8”Windsor, ONDynamo-Guvd Novosibirsk (Russia)
Lizanne MurphySmall Forward6’1”Beaconsfield, QCAngers (France)
Kia NursePoint Guard6’0”Hamilton, ONUConn (NCAA)
Katherine PlouffeSmall Forward6’3”Edmonton, ABNantes Reze (France)
Michelle PlouffeSmall Forward6’3”Edmonton, ABMondeville (France)
Emily PotterCentre6’4”Winnipeg, MBUtah (NCAA)
Nayo Raincock-EkunweForward6’2”Penticton, BCWasserburg (Germany)
Tamara TathamSmall Forward6’1”Brampton, ONTownville Fire (Australia)
Shona ThorburnPoint Guard5’10”Hamilton, ONNantes Reze (France)
Jamie Weisner*Guard5’9”Clarkston, WAConnecticut Sun (WNBA)

*Athletes currently in WNBA season will be unavailable

2016 SENIOR COACHES & STAFF

NameHometownAffiliationRole
Lisa ThomaidisSaskatoon, SKUniversity of SaskatchewanHead Coach
Shawnee HarleCalgary, ABn/aAssistant Coach
Bev SmithEugene, ORn/aAssistant Coach
Steve BaurSackville, NSCanada BasketballAssistant Coach
Dipesh MistryMarkham, ONRyerson UniversityPerformance Analyst
Joan MlynarczykToronto, ONn/aSW Physiotherapist & Therapy Lead
Danielle DobneyToronto, ONMcGill UniversityAthletic Therapist
Chris DalCinToronto, ONn/aBasketball Scientist
Sarah KimToronto, ONn/aLead Physician
Marni WesnerEdmonton, ABUniversity of AlbertaEdmonton Lead Physician
Peter JensenToronto, ONn/aSport Psychologist
Susan CockleEdmonton, ABn/aSport Psychologist
Anne Marie ThussHamilton, ONMcMaster UniversityTeam Manager

2016 SUMMER SCHEDULE

DATEEVENTLOCATION
June 26-July 8Phase 2 campSaville Centre, Edmonton
July 9-11
Edmonton Grads International Classic vs Team China
Game Times:
  • Saturday, July 9th @ 7:00 p.m. MST
  • Sunday, July 10th @ 4:00p.m. MST
  • Monday, July 11th @ 7:00 p.m. MST
Saville Centre, Edmonton
July 22-26Phase 3 TrainingTBC, Toronto
July 27-31
2016 USA Basketball Showcase
Game Times:
  • July 27th vs Australia @ 5 p.m. ET
  • July 29th vs United States @ 7:00 p.m. ET
  • July 31st vs France @ 1:30 p.m. ET
Newark, Bridgepoint & New York, USA
August 5-21Olympic GamesRio De Janeiro, Brazil
***Schedule, staffing and athletes subject to change.***

Courtesy Canada Basketball

Drew Ebanks

Drew Ebanks

Drew Ebanks

Often referred to as Mr. Canada Basketball, Ebanks has been an integral innovator and personality in both amateur and professional basketball. With a High Honours Diploma in Radio & Television Broadcasting (Seneca College) and experience in the financial services industry, Ebanks’ diverse educational background and work experience has allowed him to maximize On Point’s potential in becoming a leading basketball media, promotional and lifestyle brand.