Wheelchair Basketball Canada has unveiled the rosters for the upcoming world championships set to take place in Ottawa. The women’s team will feature key players such as Kady Dandeneau, Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai, Tara Llanes, Cindy Ouellet, Tamara Steeves, Elodie Tessier, and Arinn Young who were part of the fourth-place Paralympic team in 2024. Additionally, Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Mercy Nyakundi, and Bethany Johnson have been selected to join the squad.
Canada secured a fifth-place finish at the 2022 championships, with their last podium appearance dating back to 2014 when the women clinched gold in Toronto.
On the men’s side, seven players who participated in both the Paralympic Games and the 2022 world championships will return, including Reed De’Aeth, Nik Goncin, Colin Higgins, Lee Melymick, Tyler Miller, Blaise Mutware, and Garrett Ostepchuk. They will be joined by newcomers Josh Brown, Ibrahim Odza, Kyrell Sopotyk, Lionel Tamoki, and Brandon Louie.
The Canadian men, who finished sixth at the 2022 worlds, last claimed gold in 2006. The tournament is scheduled to run from September 9 to 19 and will determine the allocation of spots each zone will receive for the 2028 Paralympic Games.
