The first month of 2024 is nearly over, and Canadians worldwide have started out their year on strong terms. Here’s the agenda for today:

• High School Honours: Syla Swords is Named a 2024 McDonald’s All-American.
• NCAA Standouts: Yvonne Ejim and Zach Edey put up huge numbers in team wins.
• NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray Shine as SMNT in Vegas is Announced.
• WBB Overseas Tracker: Bridget Carleton, Emily Potter, Kayla Alexander.

1. Syla Swords is a Rising Canadian Star

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks for Syla Swords. Just over a week after being featured on SLAM Magazine, Swords was named a 2024 McDonald’s All-American. She becomes the second Canadian player on the women’s side to be selected.

“I’m still known as the Canadian guard…[I’m] representing something bigger than [myself],” she told WSLAM. She and her sister Savannah both play for LuHi Girls Basketball, and the high-school star has already committed to Michigan. Whether she’s crushing high school records or playing for the Canadian Women’s National Team, Syla Swords continues to rise through the ranks.

2. Yvonne Ejim + Zach Edey = Scoring Machines

Many Canadians have shone in the NCAA this season, but two of them remain the most consistent for their teams: Yvonne Ejim and Zach Edey.

Ejim, a senior for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, is averaging 20.6 points per game and is shooting 65.4 percent from the field this season. She has scored 22 or more points in her last three games, including a standout 24 & 12 performance to secure her coach's 250th win. Gonzaga remains undefeated in 2024 and have not lost a game since November 26, 2023. Since then, they are the only undefeated team in WCC conference play (5-0), and secured big wins over tough teams, including number-three ranked Stanford.

Over at Purdue, Zach Edey is proving why he is one of the most dominant centers in the game and a projected-lottery pick. Purdue have won four out of their last five games, including a monster stretch from Edey where he scored more than 30 points in three straight games.

His performances earned him this week’s honour of Toyota Canada Player of the Week.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray Shine as SMNT in Vegas is Announced

This week, Canada Basketball and USA Basketball announced the Canadian SMNT and Team USA will face off in an exhibition game in Vegas on July 10 at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. E.T. The game will be available to watch on Sportsnet for Canadian fans ahead of Paris 2024.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray, who have both had solid performances in the NBA this season. Gilgeous-Alexander, MVP and All-Star candidate, earned Western Conference Player of the Month honours for December.

Jamal Murray’s performances with the Denver Nuggets this month have been nothing short of impressive. Murray is averaging 28.3 points in their last three games, including a strong 35 points, eight rebounds and five assists against the Boston Celtics this month.  

4. WBB Overseas: Bridget Carleton, Emily Potter, and Kayla Alexander  

Three Canadians (Carleton, Potter, and Alexander) are playing in three different countries. Here’s an update on their performances since the last time we checked in on them.

Bridget Carleton: Uni Gyor, Hungary

Although her team is 2-11 in EuroLeague play, Carleton has been a steady presence overseas. She is averaging 25.6 points in their last three games, including a standout 41-point performance that earned Carleton Toyota Canada Player of the Week honours.

Emily Potter: Perth Lynx, Australia

The Perth Lynx have three games left in the WNBL season, and Emily Potter has been a solid player for them. She’s had three 20+ point games this season, her most recent one coming on January 20 against the Bendigo Spirit (20 points, 7 rebounds).  

Kayla Alexander: Tango Bourges Basket, France

Bourges Basket may have dropped their last two games, but Canadian vet Kayla Alexander put up 18 points and three rebounds and 17 points and four rebounds in her last two games. They will try to get back into the win column with their upcoming matchup against ESBVA-LM on January 27.