TORONTO, Ont. (August 4, 2024)—The Canada Basketball 15U and 17U Men’s and Women’s National Championships begin this week. Ontario Basketball and Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball will host the tournaments from August 5th to 10th, 2024.

We spoke to five (5) players ahead of the tournaments to learn more about their experience with the National Championships, what fans should know about their game, and much more.

Q: From a player’s perspective, what are some of the things you’ve learned from competing at the National Championships in previous years?

Amélia Sow: Quebec - 17U Girls: My experience at the National Championships has been really good. I think that the level is getting higher each year, and I learned how to connect with people in a short period of time because you don’t have a lot of time to spare [at Nationals] only being there a week and being in the gym. 

Marie Grace-Talle: Quebec - 17U Girls: I learned that Quebec has good potential and that we as a province are always underestimated against Ontario, but that if we work together, we can win. 

Gold medalist last year, big summer with U18 getting that silver medal, now your final Nationals is coming up…how do you reflect on all these experiences and what have you taken away from this national experience? 

Marie Grace-Talle: Quebec - 17U Girls: Overall, I am happy with my National experience. I played D2 basketball in high school and was still able to represent my province and country, this is a huge honour.

Q: How has/will competing against other provinces helped/help elevate your own basketball play?

Amélia Sow: Quebec - 17U Girls: Playing against other people, [no matter where], you can’t underestimate other provinces that are known or unknown, so yeah, playing against these girls elevates my game. 

Iosune Pelegrín-Ortega: Manitoba - 15U Girls: Facing the best players from other provinces will allow me to learn from different methods and styles of play. It will motivate me to strive and give my best in every game. 

Jordan Anderson: Nova Scotia - 15U Girls: I have some experience playing teams around the Maritimes and some parts of Canada that were really good, but I expect each of the provincial teams at Nationals to bring a higher level of competition. I’m excited for that challenge because it will help me get better. 

Kyreese Oliver: Nova Scotia - 15U Boys: Competing against the other provinces will help elevate my basketball play because I’m playing against the best players from every province and competing on a big stage.

Marie Grace-Talle: Quebec - 17U Girls: It has motivated me to work on my game, putting in extra hours. 

Q: What does representing your province on the Canadian stage mean to you?

Amélia Sow: Quebec - 17U Girls: It’s an honour to represent my province. I really like playing against other provinces, the concept of the National Championships is really nice. 

Iosune Pelegrín-Ortega: Manitoba - 15U Girls: I'm very happy to be part of the team and proud to be able to represent Manitoba at the national level. 

Jordan Anderson: Nova Scotia - 15U Girls: I haven’t had this opportunity before so, I’m honoured to be apart of the Basketball Nova Scotia team. I know that many good players tried out, and it means a lot to me to have been selected. I plan to bring my best performance to the court and be the best teammate that I can be. I love the game of basketball and the fact that I will be representing my province – Nova Scotia - doing something I love on the Canadian stage, is just an amazing opportunity!  

Kyreese Oliver: Nova Scotia - 15U Boys: Representing my province on the Canadian stage means a lot to me because I know a lot of people here in Nova Scotia believe in me and want to see me represent the province well and bring them home a medal. 

Marie Grace-Talle: Quebec - 17U Girls: I am proud to represent Quebec and bring the best of my province together. It is fun to play with all the elite talent that I normally compete against. 

Q: What’s a part of your game that represents who you are as a player? What should people know about you?

 Amélia Sow: Quebec - 17U Girls: I’m a very versatile player, and that’s what makes me stand apart from other players. I can play on anybody on defence, and in offence, I play many positions, 1 through 4. I work really hard for what I have now, I am a very persevering person. 

Iosune Pelegrín-Ortega: Manitoba - 15U Girls: I believe my strength is defence. I try to make it difficult for opponents to make decisions, I try to force their errors and anticipate passes. I am a team player; I strive to make an effort to benefit everyone. I´m tough and like the challenge. 

Jordan Anderson: Nova Scotia - 15U Girls: I think what represents who I am is the amount of effort I put into every single game no matter what. I’m a very passionate player, especially when it comes to defence. 

Kyreese Oliver: Nova Scotia - 15U Boys: A part of my game that represents me is getting to the basket and finishing. What people should know about me is that I am a leader off and on the court, I don’t need the ball in my hand to make a difference on the court. 

Marie Grace-Talle: Quebec - 17U Girls: I am an unselfish player, and I work hard.  What should people know about me?  I really enjoy watching tennis. 

Q: What are you most excited about in playing at the National Championships this summer?

Iosune Pelegrín-Ortega: Manitoba - 15U Girls: To be able to compete against the best players from other provinces, enjoy the games, take advantage of this experience and improve as a player. 

Jordan Anderson: Nova Scotia - 15U Girls: I’m really excited to see the competitiveness that all the teams will have and just getting the opportunity to play teams from around Canada in general. 

Kyreese Oliver: Nova Scotia - 15U Boys: This summer, I am most excited to play in nationals because I am ready to perform for the province and try to bring a medal back home to Nova Scotia.