ST. JOHN’S, NL (October 30, 2018) - Canada Basketball announced today that the Mile One Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland will host both of Canada’s FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers home games in February.  

Canada will face Chile on Thursday, February 21 at 7:00 PM before taking on Venezuela on Sunday, February 24 at 4:00 PM to conclude the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers.

Two-game ticket packages will go on sale for a limited time beginning Saturday, November 3 at 11:00 am NDT for as low as $24.  Individual tickets are available on Saturday, November 17 at 11:00 am NST.  Tickets will be available at the Mile One Centre box office, 709-576-7657 and www.mileonecentre.com.

In addition to the games, Canada Basketball, in partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association (NLBA), will also host clinics for both players and coaches.  Additional details regarding both will be announced at a later date.

Through eight games, Canada sits atop Group F with a 7-1 record and is followed by Venezuela (7-1), Brazil (6-2), Dominican Republic (5-3), U.S. Virgin Islands (2-6) and Chile (1-7).

In the second round, the three highest-placed teams from each group and the best fourth placed team between Group E and Group F (a total of seven teams) will qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

Canada took another step closer to qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 with a pair of victories in September.  Canada defeated No. 11 ranked Brazil 85-77 at Place Bell in Laval before picking up a crucial road win over Chile for their sixth consecutive victory.

Among the remaining 12 national teams in the Americas, Canada leads in points (95.6), field goals (51.3%), two-pointers (63.0%), assists (23.8).

Prior to February’s home games, Canada visits Venezuela on November 30 in a battle for the group's top spot.  Canada will also face Brazil to conclude the fifth window on December 3.  Fans can catch all the action live on DAZN.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China (Aug. 31-Sept. 15, 2019) will be the biggest edition of FIBA's flagship event with a record 32 participating teams playing 92 games over 16 days.

For the first time, the FIBA Basketball World Cup will qualify seven teams directly for the following year's Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

QUOTES

"The new FIBA qualification system has allowed us to bring the national team to Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast.  After successfully hosting games in Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa and Laval, we’re excited to have the opportunity to come to St. John’s in February and finish the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers with a pair of wins." – Glen Grunwald, President & CEO, Canada Basketball

"I am delighted on behalf of Council and the citizens of St. John's to extend greetings to players, coaches, officials, media and spectators who will experience our famous Newfoundland hospitality as Team Canada looks to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.” – Danny Breen, Mayor,City of St. John’s

“Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association is excited about the opportunity to host Canada Basketball in their attempt to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Hoops fans across Newfoundland and Labrador will get to see international basketball played at its highest level of competition.  It’s great to see Canadian players excelling on the international stage and we as a province look forward to cheering them on and giving them the support they deserve.” – Judy Byrne, Executive Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association

SECOND-ROUND SCHEDULE:

Sept. 13 - Canada vs. Brazil (W 85-77)
Sept. 17 - Canada at Chile (W 84-61)
Nov. 30 - Canada at Venezuela
Dec. 3 - Canada at Brazil
Feb. 21 - Canada vs. Chile
Feb. 24 - Canada vs. Venezuela

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