Next generation serves up win

Young Canadian Olympians embrace chance to lead at under-23 event

They should one day be stalwarts of a Canadian senior women’s basketball team as it tries to preserve its lofty status among the world’s best.

And there is no better tune-up for that responsibility than by doing it as the top players, the most experienced players, of an under-23 team taking part in Canada Basketball’s Globl Jam event at the Mattamy Athletic Centre this week.

Aaliyah Edwards, a 19-year-old forward from Kingston, Shaina Pellington, a 23-year-old guard from Toronto, and 20-year-old guard Merissah Russell from Ottawa were all members of Canada’s 2021 Olympic team. They are leaders with this group.

“I think it’s coming full circle,” Edwards said after leading Canada to a 65-53 win over Belgium on Tuesday night.

Edwards was by far the best player on the court for Canada, pouring in 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. That’s a testament to the six-foot-three forward’s skill but it’s also a new responsibility she’s taking on. And being given.

“That’s a huge part of this tournament is giving them some of these opportunities to step up as leaders and have a prominent role in making some things happen out there,” Canadian head coach Carly Clarke said.

“Especially after last summer. They get an opportunity to be at the Olympics and now we need more.”

Feeding the next wave of senior team members — men and women — is a significant reason this tournament exists. Sometimes all but the very best Canadian players get lost once they turn 20 and there’s not much international experience they can get.

It’s probably more glaring in the women’s game, which is why Edwards and Pellington (who had 13 points Tuesday) have much to gain.

“It’s very important,” Edwards said of the expanded role. “Having the experience with the women’s national team, I had a lot of mentors. All my big sisters carrying me up to that level, they’re now moving on with their professional careers, so for me to be able to step up is what Coach has been harping on, to be a leader and guide the next generation, for sure.”

It’s not that the Canada’s senior women’s program is going through massive change.

There will be all kinds of familiar faces at the World Cup this fall but there’s certain to be turnover before the 2024 Paris Olympics or the 2026 World Cup. That’s where the likes of Pellington and Edwards should shine.

“Both of them have had impactful moments at the senior level but, yeah, for them to carry a little bit more load on their shoulders, to assert themselves and have some success (is important),” Clarke said. “We’ve had some turnover at the senior level, so we need to move some people along in development and I think that’s happening.”

Edwards welcomes showing younger, less-experienced players the ropes. “I’m just cherishing it because I was in their position not too long ago and for me to step up into that role and show what I learned is just a great feeling,” she said.

“I love it.”

The day opened with an afternoon doubleheader before a small crowd — France beat the U.S. 62-44 on the women’s side; Italy beat the U.S. 88-77 on the men’s — and the audience may have maxed out around 1,000 for the night doubleheader involving the Canadian women and men.

But it was the first day of the first event, with not a lot to sell, and Canada Basketball officials were hoping for increased attendance each day.

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I think it’s coming full circle.

A A L I YA H EDWARDS CANADA FORWARD