TORONTO (Nov. 28, 2024) — It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Canadians – from action in Saskatoon to down under, here is this week’s edition of The Naismith Notes.

Canada stays atop Group C at FIBA Men’s AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers

The second window of the FIBA Men’s AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers concluded this week – with Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team in action again. After going 2-0 during the first window of play in February of this year, the team followed it up with another perfect week – going 2-0 against the Dominican Republic and Mexico. They are now 4-0, sitting first in Group C standings, and are in an excellent position to qualify for next summer’s tournament during the third and final qualifying window in February 2025.

Defending home soil in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the group consisted of veterans and newer guys who made their team debuts. Mfiondu Kabengele, who was a part of the Olympic training camp roster over the summer, showed out as the big man in both games, including a team-high 17 points and seven rebounds in game one, earning Toyota Player of the Week honours.

Trae Bell-Haynes proved to be the leader the national team needed, following up his 10-assist performance in game one with 20 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals to lead Canada to another win in game two. For more details on the week in Saskatoon, click here.

Women’s national team athletes shine in the NCAA, and more continue to make an impact

After starting the NCAA season with a bang, Canada’s college athletes continue to make their mark. On the women’s side, five national team athletes all racked up impressive awards over the last two weeks:

Toby Fournier (Duke): ACC Freshman of the Week

• Recorded 25 points, six rebounds, and three blocks off the bench in a 79-47 win v.s. Belmont.

Syla Swords (Michigan): Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week

• She leads Michigan on a five-game winning streak, averaging 18.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 3.7 APG on the season.

Delaney Gibb (BYU): Big 12 Freshman of the Week

• Gibb is having an impressive start to her freshman season, averaging 17 points per game—including two games with 22 points and six rebounds. BYU is 6-1 to start the NCAA season.

Yvonne Ejim (Gonzaga): WCC Player of the Week

• Ejim is averaging a double-double on the season, putting up 26 & 17 and 22 & 11 in her last two games, respectively. Gonzaga is currently on a three-game winning streak.

Olivia “Liv” Leung (Dayton): A-10 Freshman of the Week

• Gaining more playing time as the season rolls on, Olivia Leung put up a career-high 13 points on 75 percent shooting – including going perfect from three — in Dayton’s win against Providence.

On the men’s side, more athletes continue to make an impact:

Malachi Davis (Long Island University): The Toronto native helped lead the way to a close 79-76 win over Charlotte, scoring 31 points on 9-18 from the field.

Will Riley (Illinois): Similar to Toby Fournier’s impact at Duke, Riley’s presence off the bench has proved crucial for the Fighting Illini, who are 5-1 to start the season and are ranked 25th. Riley is averaging 16.7 points through his last three games and shooting 49.4 percent from three.

Xaivian Lee (Princeton): The scoring sensation from Toronto, Ontario, continues to show out in the Ivy League with a 30-point game against Texas State, adding six boards and five assists.

Ryan Nembhard (Gonzaga): The Gonzaga Bulldogs have yet to lose a game this season, and the Aurora product has proved to be a steady starter. Nembhard has put up double-digits in their last four games, including a double-double of 19 points and ten assists against San Diego State.

Canadians are scoring at historic levels in the NBA

With many Canadians showing out for their teams, here are some standout performances within the last couple of weeks:

RJ Barrett (Toronto Raptors): 39 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST on 61.9 percent from the field v.s. Indiana Pacers

• Amid a career season for the rising star, Barrett’s 39 points are the most a Canadian has scored in Raptors franchise history.

Lu Dort & Shai Gilegous-Alexander (OKC Thunder): 10 REB + 37 PTS & 11 AST v.s. Sacramento Kings

• Following the summer Olympics, OKC duo Lu Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continue to prove their chemistry. The Thunder are first in the Western Conference – largely thanks to these two.
• Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.2 points and 6.8 assists this season — most recently scoring 37 points against Sacramento and dishing out 11 assists. His teammate, Lu Dort, completed the scoreline by crashing the glass with ten rebounds.

Andrew Wiggins (Golden State Warriors): 30 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST on 64.3 percent from the field v.s. New Orleans Pelicans

• The Warriors sit right behind the Thunder in the Western Conference standings, eager to get back into contender conversations. The 2022 NBA Champion is having a stellar season, averaging 23.4 points per game—including a 30-point performance against the Pelicans just last week.

Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets): 28 PTS, 6 REB, 6-8 from three v.s. Portland TrailBlazers

• Let’s continue with the Western Conference standings, where the Rockets are third behind OKC and Golden State.
• First-time Olympian Dillon Brooks has recorded 13+ points in each of their last three games, including 28 points against Portland — knocking down six triples.

Fans can catch NBA action every night as Canadians continue to put up numbers across the league.

Overseas Tracker: Bridget Carleton begins her season, Bell-Haynes resigns & more

Over in Euroleague basketball, Canada vet Bridget Carleton began another season with Uni Gyor in Hungary. Carleton – who is coming off a career year with the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals – scored 12 points, four rebounds, and five assists in her return to Hungary.

Men’s national team member Trae Bell-Haynes continued to have a big week. Following Canada’s winning results in Saskatoon — Zaragoza, his overseas club – announced they would extend him through 2027. The Canadian point guard has improved his numbers yearly with the team and looks to lead them to success in Spain.

Down under with the Perth Lynx, Laeticia Amihere is having a breakout season. The Lynx have won five out of their last six games — and Amihere is providing a significant presence in the post. After adding 24 points and ten rebounds against Canberra, she followed it up with 28 points, four boards, assists, and steals in what was her best performance of the season.

Stay caught up with our weekly Naismith Notes to keep tabs on all your favourite Canadians worldwide – right here on basketball.ca.