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: Beaconsfield, Quebec

High School: Dawson College

University: Hofstra University

Pro Team: Tarbes

Years with Canada Basketball: 6

Games with Canada Basketball:74

Canada Basketball - What is your favorite Olympic memory?

Lizanne Murphy - My favorite Olympic memory was during the Vancouver games.  I was playing in Slovakia at the time and was completely glued to the TV wearing my Canada gear every single day. Watching how our country came alive and celebrated all of our athletes was a really magical thing.  It made me so proud to be Canadian, even while I was so far away.

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

LM - I am really pumped for all of our games, I'm excited about playing Russia because that is our first opportunity to go out there and make some noise in the tournament.  I also think playing against Great Britain will be fun because I am sure it will be a packed house.  And lastly, I think we owe France one because they have beaten us the last few times we have played them.

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

LM - I think our biggest challenge will be to remain confident and aggressive.  We are in a pool with some highly ranked teams, and even though we have proven in the last couple of years that we belong and can play with them, it will be really important for us to continue to believe in that.

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

LM - In terms of pre-game rituals, earlier in the day, I do some visualization for about 10-15 minutes so that I can think about some of the important things to do during that game. At the gym, I like to get out onto the court quite early and shoot while there aren't that many people warming up - I like to have the hoop to myself for a few minutes.  

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

LM - I am really excited to be able to share this with our entire team, but if I had to choose one person, I would say I am excited to see Kim Smith take the floor for the games.  She is a great friend, and I know she has sacrificed so much in her career to get here.

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

LM - The advice I would give to younger players trying to make the Olympics is that it is much harder than you think; you have to work harder than you ever have in your life and over a long period of time.  There are a lot of things you have to sacrifice en route to the Olympics, but as of this past Canada Day, I can honestly say that it is SO worth it.

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

LM - A lot of people may not know this about me, but I am very into yoga.  It has totally changed my life both physically and mentally.  I also have a really dorky side that loves all things vampire and Harry Potter!

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
Miranda Ayim
Courtnay Pilypaitis
Krista Phillips  

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

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