TORONTO (June 10, 2024) – Canada Basketball and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the identities of Team Canada’s 3×3 basketball athletes who will participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. These athletes are:
Kacie Bosch (Lethbridge, AB)
Paige Crozon (Humboldt, SK)
Katherine Plouffe (Edmonton, AB)
Michelle Plouffe (Edmonton, AB)
Canada managed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by finishing third at the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Basketball Qualifying Tournament last May. After suffering a heartbreaking late loss to Spain in the semifinals, Canada bounced back in the third place match with a convincing 21-10 victory over the host team. Hungary, thus giving Canada its first Olympic participation in 3×3 basketball.
The world’s two highest-ranked players, twins Katherine and Michelle Plouffe, who are ranked first and second in the FIBA 3×3 individual basketball world rankings, respectively, will return to the Olympics after competing eight years ago. years. The two sisters proudly represented Canada as members of the senior women’s national team in Rio in 2016. Michelle also participated in the London 2012 Games.
Katherine delivered another stellar performance at the 2024 FIBA Olympic Basketball Qualifying Tournament, earning her the team’s Most Valuable Player award. It was a second title of its kind this year for the one who led Canada to an Olympic qualification. Last year, Canada won its second consecutive FIBA Women’s 3×3 Basketball Series title in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This time, it was Michelle who won the Most Valuable Player award after leading the tournament in points scored.
“I’m super excited to go. It sounds a little crazy, but this will be my third participation in the Olympic Games, says Michelle Plouffe. A few Canadian basketball players have already achieved this, but it will be very special to achieve this in 3×3 basketball. Being part of this program from the start was worth the effort, building everything from scratch. I am proud of everyone who was part of this team and this program, from the staff to the athletes and all those who supported and encouraged us and who told us to continue working towards achieving the goal. Also, we are grateful to our family and friends who have been there for us through this incredible journey. »
“We have our eyes on the podium, but so will the other seven teams. We know that the task will be difficult in such a tough group, but we have worked hard to get there. Sometimes we have taken the long hard road to ultimately prepare ourselves for what is to come. I am confident that our team will be ready to play — physically, mentally and emotionally. When I go on stage in Paris, I’m just going to enjoy the moment since you never know what can happen. I have loved every aspect of this journey, the challenges and obstacles we have faced and it will all be more rewarding once we get to the other side. I am excited when I think of July and being in Paris to perform on the most important stage in the world,” she added.
Paige Crozon and Kacie Bosch will both make their Olympic debut in Paris this summer.
A native of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Crozon has been a staple for Canada in the FIBA Women’s 3×3 Basketball Series and international competitions. She is currently ranked third in the FIBA 3×3 Individual Basketball World Rankings. Last year, Crozon competed in 10 3×3 tournaments, including the FIBA 3×3 Basketball World Cup 2023 and the FIBA 3×3 Basketball AmeriCup 2023. Before moving to 3×3 basketball, Crozon represented Canada at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 as well as several competitions in her age group, including the 2010 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship and the 2011 FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship.
“This selection to the very first Canadian Olympic 3×3 team is an incredible honor,” says Crozon. I am excited to continue playing alongside these remarkable women, whose resilience and dedication inspire me every day. The bonds we share and the trust we have built represent the foundation and strength of our team. I would also like to sincerely thank our coach, Kim Gaucher, for her invaluable knowledge and advice. Together, we are ready to take on the world and represent our communities and Canada with pride. »
“I would like to express my deep gratitude for all the support we have received over recent weeks and for the continued encouragement from our families, especially my daughter Poppy. This journey would not have been possible without them. We also hope that young girls will share our enthusiasm and see that their dreams are within reach. I remember watching the Olympics in a small rural community in Saskatchewan and dreaming of participating,” adds Crozon.
Ranked 20th in the FIBA 3×3 women’s basketball player rankings, Bosch transitioned to the sport in 2021 after a successful collegiate career with her hometown University of Lethbridge. She was twice named to the Canada West Association second all-star team with the Pronghorns. Bosch made his debut for the national 3×3 basketball team in the 2021 FIBA 3×3 Basketball AmeriCup where Canada won the bronze medal. She has played an integral role in the team’s successes over the past few years, including contributing to a silver medal at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Basketball World Cup and 10 first-place finishes in the Women’s Series competitions. FIBA 3×3 basketball for the past three seasons.
3×3 basketball made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, but no Canadian teams qualified for the tournaments. However, Canada has enjoyed recent international success in the discipline, including winning a gold medal on the last throw of the match at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and achieving top-three results in the last three tournaments of the match. FIBA AmeriCup 3×3 Basketball.
Former senior women’s national team captain and three-Game Olympian Kim Gaucher will lead the Canadian 3×3 team at Paris 2024. After a 19-year career as a player for Canada during which she participated in four FIBA World Cups and three Olympic Games, including a gold medal at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games along the way, Gaucher retired after the Tokyo 2020 Games. She then transitioned into her role as a coach and has worked with the women’s 3×3 basketball team since 2022.
The goal is to leave Paris with medals around their necks to cement this team’s legacy as one of the best in the sport.
“These women are pioneers in the world of 3×3 basketball,” says Gaucher. They embarked on this adventure with this dream of growing this sport across Canada and reaching the Olympic stage. Over the years, their journey has been full of ups and downs, and their passports bear witness to all the experiences they have had in the four corners of the globe. They will finally have the opportunity to shine as Canadians and the entire world will look at them. » Canada is one of eight women’s teams that will participate in the 3×3 women’s basketball competition which will take place from July 30 to August 5 (days 4 to 10) in La Concorde, where an urban sports park has been built on the Place of Concord.
The eight teams will compete throughout the first round. At the end of the group matches, the eight teams will be ranked according to their respective records. The first two teams will directly qualify for the semi-finals, while the last two will be eliminated from the tournament. The other four teams will compete in a playoff match and the winners will qualify for the semi-finals. The winners of the two semi-finals will advance to the gold medal match, while the losers will face each other in the bronze medal match.
“I am so proud to see the first ever Canadian 3×3 basketball team qualify for the Olympic Games. These athletes are truly on fire and unstoppable, dribbling over obstacles and scoring baskets like never before. Team Canada displays undeniable chemistry and impressive concentration. They are determined to give everything to get on the podium in Paris, says Bruny Surin, chef de mission of Team Canada for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Come on Canada, let’s raise the temperature of La Concorde and show what we’re capable of! »
Team Canada’s 3×3 basketball team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games includes the following coach and support staff:
Kim Gaucher (Mission, BC) – National Team Head Coach
Ron Yeung (Toronto, ON) – 3×3 Basketball High Performance Director / Team Leader
Before being confirmed as members of Team Canada, all nominated athletes are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s team selection committee, once all nominations have been received from national sport organizations.
You can view the updated Team Canada roster for Paris 2024 by clicking here.
2024-06-10 20:22:01
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