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Women’s and Men’s Teams Face Tough Tests Early On as Basketball Schedule Released
TORONTO, February 5, 2015 — The Pan Am basketball schedule is now online, meaning Team Canada enthusiasts can now buy tickets to watch Canada's basketball teams take on top competition such as Argentina and Venezuela in preliminary action.
The Canadian men’s basketball team will see a tough test in the first round of the tournament. They face Argentina — the third-ranked team in the world — in their second game. In another tough contest, the fast-rising Canadian women’s team, who finished in fifth place at the 2014 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Championship, will face the 14th world-ranked team, Argentina.
“It’s exciting to have the Pan Am Games in my hometown of Toronto this summer,” said Andrew Wiggins, 2014 NBA 1st round draft pick. “Having the opportunity to play at home is very special for Team Canada and the country.”
The men’s basketball competitions are expected to be a highlight of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games, with several NBA players expected to suit up.
“It’s always a privilege to play at home, we know we can compete with the best in the world and we plan to show that this summer in Toronto,” said Jay Triano, head coach of the men’s national team who is also an assistant coach for the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. “This is an important competition for our young talented team.”
The Canadian women also see this as an important stop along the way for both teams who are trying to qualify this summer for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“2014 ended on a high note for us, finishing 5th at the FIBA World Championships,” said Lisa Thomaidis, head coach for the Canadian women’s team. “This will be another special year for us as we will have the privilege of competing on home soil twice; at the Pan Am Games in Toronto and hosting the FIBA Americas Women’s Championship in Edmonton.”
The battle for medals has been hotly contested in recent years. Brazil’s men’s team won three consecutive Pan Am gold medals until the 2011 Guadalajara Games, when Puerto Rico took the title in both the men's and women's competitions, with Mexico placing second. The U.S. won bronze in the men's competition, while Brazil took bronze in the women's.
Canadian basketball fans will see familiar faces in the tournament, including Toronto Raptors star Greivis Vasquez, who will be competing with his native Venezuelan team. Vasquez helped his country qualify for the Games last summer.
“Growing up, I always wanted to play basketball for my national team and the Pan Am Games were always a great opportunity to compete against the most elite players in the world. It’s really special to be competing for the country I love, in the city that’s made me and my family feel at home and shown me so much love since I arrived,” said Vasquez. “Everyone knows Canada’s national team is on the rise, and it’s going to be a really competitive tournament environment all around. It will be a great time for the fans in this city to see a different competitive side of basketball that is all about national pride.”
In the tournament, the Canadian women’s team will be part of Group B and will play:
Of the eight teams in the men’s tournament, six are among the top-25 FIBA world-ranked teams. The Canadian men’s team will play:
There will be quite the atmosphere for all the basketball games that will take place in the intimate Ryerson Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto. For the full basketball schedule, visit TORONTO2015.org/0/basketball-schedule.
Tickets are still available for men’s and women’s basketball, but medal matches are close to selling out. To buy tickets online, visit TORONTO2015.org/tickets
About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15. The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with managing and delivering the Games. It is working to bring some of the world’s best athletes and artists to the City of Toronto and Greater Golden Horseshoe region, giving Ontarians a unique chance to be part of the action, and making the region a hub for sport.
For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org or follow @TO2015, @TO2015_fr (French) or @TO2015_es (Spanish).
TORONTO, February 5, 2015 — The Pan Am basketball schedule is now online, meaning Team Canada enthusiasts can now buy tickets to watch Canada's basketball teams take on top competition such as Argentina and Venezuela in preliminary action.
The Canadian men’s basketball team will see a tough test in the first round of the tournament. They face Argentina — the third-ranked team in the world — in their second game. In another tough contest, the fast-rising Canadian women’s team, who finished in fifth place at the 2014 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Championship, will face the 14th world-ranked team, Argentina.
“It’s exciting to have the Pan Am Games in my hometown of Toronto this summer,” said Andrew Wiggins, 2014 NBA 1st round draft pick. “Having the opportunity to play at home is very special for Team Canada and the country.”
The men’s basketball competitions are expected to be a highlight of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games, with several NBA players expected to suit up.
“It’s always a privilege to play at home, we know we can compete with the best in the world and we plan to show that this summer in Toronto,” said Jay Triano, head coach of the men’s national team who is also an assistant coach for the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. “This is an important competition for our young talented team.”
The Canadian women also see this as an important stop along the way for both teams who are trying to qualify this summer for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“2014 ended on a high note for us, finishing 5th at the FIBA World Championships,” said Lisa Thomaidis, head coach for the Canadian women’s team. “This will be another special year for us as we will have the privilege of competing on home soil twice; at the Pan Am Games in Toronto and hosting the FIBA Americas Women’s Championship in Edmonton.”
The battle for medals has been hotly contested in recent years. Brazil’s men’s team won three consecutive Pan Am gold medals until the 2011 Guadalajara Games, when Puerto Rico took the title in both the men's and women's competitions, with Mexico placing second. The U.S. won bronze in the men's competition, while Brazil took bronze in the women's.
Canadian basketball fans will see familiar faces in the tournament, including Toronto Raptors star Greivis Vasquez, who will be competing with his native Venezuelan team. Vasquez helped his country qualify for the Games last summer.
“Growing up, I always wanted to play basketball for my national team and the Pan Am Games were always a great opportunity to compete against the most elite players in the world. It’s really special to be competing for the country I love, in the city that’s made me and my family feel at home and shown me so much love since I arrived,” said Vasquez. “Everyone knows Canada’s national team is on the rise, and it’s going to be a really competitive tournament environment all around. It will be a great time for the fans in this city to see a different competitive side of basketball that is all about national pride.”
In the tournament, the Canadian women’s team will be part of Group B and will play:
- Venezuela on July 16 (BK002)
- Argentina on July 17 (BK004)
- Cuba on July 18 (BK006)
Of the eight teams in the men’s tournament, six are among the top-25 FIBA world-ranked teams. The Canadian men’s team will play:
- Dominican Republic on July 21 (BK012)
- Argentina on July 22 (BK014)
- Mexico on July 23 (BK016)
There will be quite the atmosphere for all the basketball games that will take place in the intimate Ryerson Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto. For the full basketball schedule, visit TORONTO2015.org/0/basketball-schedule.
Tickets are still available for men’s and women’s basketball, but medal matches are close to selling out. To buy tickets online, visit TORONTO2015.org/tickets
About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15. The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with managing and delivering the Games. It is working to bring some of the world’s best athletes and artists to the City of Toronto and Greater Golden Horseshoe region, giving Ontarians a unique chance to be part of the action, and making the region a hub for sport.
For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org or follow @TO2015, @TO2015_fr (French) or @TO2015_es (Spanish).
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