Canada Day 2012 will always be a special date for us at Canada Basketball:  that’s the day our Senior Women’s National Team secured a berth at the London Olympic Games. This series of Q&A’s with our national team players helps you get to know the inspiring women who are part of that team that will represent Canada proudly in London.  

Hometown: Saskatoon, SK

High School: Aden Bowman Secondary School

University: Michigan

Pro Team: Dangdengon Rangers (Australia)

Years with Canada Basketball: 5

Games with Canada Basketball: 59

Canada Basketball - What is your favorite Olympic memory?

Krista Phillips - Definitely this one. Qualifying on Canada day will forever be my best Olympic memory.

CB - Which team are you most looking forward to playing against in London?

KP - France. I think we match up well with them and I am really looking forward to getting a win against them.

CB - What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you and the team at these games?

KP - Consistently running our offense well. If we do that we can win games.

CB - Do you have any pregame rituals? What are they?

KP - I listen to music and try to stay loose.  Nothing in particular, just whatever gets me pumped up that day.  And I always tie my right shoe first as well.

CB - Who is the teammate that you are most excited to see take the floor for the first Olympic game?  Why?

KP – I’m excited for both Kim Smith and Teresa Gabriele. They have committed everything they have to this program and really deserve it.

CB - What advice would you give to young athletes who are pursuing an Olympic dream?

KP - Never give up. It has been 12 years since Canada has qualified and here we are back in it. Hard work and faith in your dreams is so important

CB - Tell us something special or unique about yourself that we might not know.

I always have my nails painted for games. It is a must!  I am the color supplier for the team so I usually bring a rainbow of colors. For the opening ceremonies they will be Canada colors, after that it will depend on the day. It usually changes for every game.

To read other, "Getting to Know Our Olympians," click the athletes names below:

Teresa Gabriele
Natalie Achonwa
Alisha Tatham
Michelle Plouffe
Chelsea Aubry
Tamara Tatham
Kim Smith
Shona Thorburn
Lizanne Murphy
Miranda Ayim
Courtnay Pilypaitis

Below is the Canadian preliminary schedule, with the broadcast information.

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