The Senior Women's National Team is coming off a great start to the summer having won the Gold Medal at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. The next step for them is to qualify for the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro by winning the FIBA Americas Tournament taking place in Edmonton. Leading up to the Americas Tournament we spoke to our SWNT members and they gave us their thoughts on a few things and here's what they had to say. To buy tickets for the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship for Women, click here.

Of all the names on this summer’s edition of the Senior Women’s National Team the most unfamiliar may belong to rookie Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe.

Playing on Canada’s only NCAA program at Simon Fraser in Burnaby, BC, Nayo would go on to be a star for the transitioning SFU Clan helping lead the program to two NCAA Division II Tournament berths and an honorable mention All America nod as a senior.  Despite her collegiate success she always had an eye on a National Program summer.

She would be extended an invitation to the Senior Camp in 2013 and then again last summer but with a veteran core returning in the frontcourt that included Miranda Ayim, Tamara Tatham and Lizanne Murphy minutes were at a premium.

“You know, in university that was always the main goal,” says Raincock-Ekunwe of playing with the SWNT.  “I knew I could do it with enough work and dedication.  I think I had some setbacks getting cut two summers in a row but that just motivated me to work more during my pro season, to work that much harder, and I’m here now.”

That now Nayo talks about is her current summer tour with the Senior Women who she helped win the Gold Medal at the recent Pan Am Games.  Playing in all five games she averaged a very efficient 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in just less than 11 minutes of action.  Not bad for someone’s first major competition in the Red and White.

Those who know Raincock-Ekunwe’s game know that efficiency is her calling card.  Last season playing in Donau-Reis in the German DBBL she was top ten in scoring (3rd at 19.5), rebounding (1st at 12.6), steals (6th at 2.3) and blocks (7th at 0.9).  It was another great season for her.  But going from the focus of the team as a pro to now a more reduced role on a very talented SWNT could be a tough transition.  And that is something that Nayo has had no problem with.   She’s just soaking up the time with players whose paths she’s trying to follow.

“One of my favourite parts about playing with the National Team has been being around the veterans,” states Raincock-Ekunwe. “Just watching them play, their work ethic, how they practice. (I’m just trying) to learn from them.”

With the likes of Smith, Tatham, Murphy and Shona Thorburn to give advice there is a lot of learning to be done.  And Nayo will be doing so on the fly as the SWNT prepare for the FIBA Americas. With one Olympic spot up for grabs where she’ll be looking to bring her energy and intensity when the team needs.

The biggest personal goal for the Raincock-Ekunwe heading into the Americas Tournament is building confidence in her game and comfort in a new face-up role she’s been playing of late.  But if she needs a lift she’ll have her mother, college coach and a few friends making the trip to Edmonton to cheer her on.

Whether her cheering section pushes decibel levels at the Saville Centre when she checks in or Nayo gets the minutes to let loose the player we know she can be you can bet that people will know who she is by tournament’s end.

No doubt about that.

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Ray is a freelance sports journalist and blogger as well as a passionate Canadian basketball supporter.  His stories have found their way into SLAM Magazine, The Globe and Mail and Hoop Magazine to name a few.  Outside of his freelance work he is currently a senior contributor to NorthpoleHoops.com and SoleShift.  

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