RANCAGUA, Chile (July 25, 2023) - Canada’s 3x3 Men’s U23 National Team was victorious on Wednesday in Rancagua, Chile, as they claimed the Stop 3 Final at the FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League 2023 Americas.

Canada got it done via a convincing 22-16 win over Venezuela in the Final, as Yohann Sam connected from the corner for the game-winner. Sam’s nine points helped a Canadian team to the Stop win, who wasn’t even sure if they were advancing until the final group phase game of the day. 

After finishing Pool B play with a 1-1 record, Canada had to sit back and wait until Argentina defeated USA — a win that matched all three teams in the pool with 1-1 records, allowing Canada to advance to the Final via tiebreaker.

Gus Goerzen, Justin Ndjock-Tadjore and Aaron Rhooms starred alongside Sam for Canada, while Cole Syllas rested. Sam’s 22 points in the team’s three games were third-most among players at the Stop, close followed by Ndjock-Tadjore and Rhooms who netted 15 apiece.

After a narrow 21-18 defeat to USA in the team’s opening game, Sam helped Canada bounce back with a team-high nine points in a 21-17 win over Argentina — which helped Canada move on to the eventual Final.

Meanwhile, Canada’s 3x3 U23 Women’s National Team had their best showing of the Nations League thus far. A 2-0 record in pool play thanks to a 14-12 win over Chile and convincing 21-11 win over Argentina, Canada moved on to the Stop 3 Final — their first Final appearance of Nations League Americas.

Yet there they ran into the USA, who defeated Canada 22-11 in the Final to claim their third Stop of the Nations League Americas.

Carly Ahlstrom, Kiyara Letlow, Keishana Washington and Jessica Wisotzki helped Canada to a second-place finish, as Taya Hanson and Tara Wallack rested after suiting up in all four of the team’s opening four games. Letlow and Washington totalled 16 points on the day, which was tied for fourth-most among players in the Stop.

‍Stop 4 is set for Friday in Chile, as competition pauses for a rest day on Thursday. 

Canada’s women will face Chile and Puerto Rico in Pool B. Game times are 2:50 pm ET / 11:50 am PT and 4:40 pm ET / 1:40 pm PT.

Canada’s men will share Pool B with USA and Venezuela. Game times are 3:15 pm ET / 12:15 pm ET and 5:05 pm ET / 2:05 pm PT.

All of the action will stream live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube Channel.

‍The FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League 2023 Americas features six three-game tournaments in seven days, including daily pool play and a final. Teams earn tour standing points after each one-day event. The best-ranked team in the standings after the sixth day are declared winners of their conference and qualify for the FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League Final taking place September 13-15 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.‍