Fresh off reaching back-to-back Olympic quarterfinals for the first time, Canada appears at No. 6 in the 2016 FIBA Women World Ranking, its highest position since the current ranking system was launched in 2010.

Jumping from No. 9 to move up three spots in the ranking, Canada ties Turkey and Japan for the third biggest climb. Canada had also reached as high as ninth in both 2012 and 2013, sandwiched between appearances at No. 11 in 2011 and 2014. In 2010 Canada ranked 12th.

Canada was the highest climber in the Americas, leaping over Brazil to second spot in the zone, trailing only the six-time defending Olympic champion United States.

Based on performance in the Olympic Games, FIBA World championships and qualifying competitions at the zone level, ranking is calculated within the scope of a two Olympic Games cycle, including zone competitions. When a new event is played the oldest event of that category is dropped out and the ranking is recalculated.

Canada won the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship for Women and placed fifth at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women. The next event that counts towards the ranking is the 2017 Americas Championship.

Canada placed seventh at the recent Rio Games, posting a best-ever 3-2 record in the preliminary round before losing a close quarterfinal match to France. At the London 2012 Games, Canada was eliminated by Team USA in the quarterfinals.

The United States remains atop the FIBA Women World Ranking, followed by 2016 Olympic silver-medalist Spain at No. 2. France rounds out the top 3.

By: Brian Swane

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