TORONTO, ON – The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games released the basketball schedule; Canada will be represented by its Women’s and Men’s National Teams. The Women’s National Team will begin competition on July 16 with the Men starting on July 21. All games will take place at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, with the gold medal games taking place on July 20 (Women’s) and July 25 (Men’s).“It’s an honour for Canada Basketball to be part of the local organizing committee for this exciting international event, especially with both of our National Teams competing on home soil,” said Michele O’Keefe, Executive Director of Canada Basketball. “It is truly an exciting time for basketball in this country and we look forward to Canadian fans coming out to cheer on Team Canada.”
The Women’s National Team has been placed in Group B with Venezuela, Argentina and Cuba. Venezuela will be the team’s first opponent on July 16 with Argentina and Cuba following respectively, on July 17 and July 18. Coming off a strong 2014 season, the women look to continue their solid play into the Pan Am Games and the 2015 FIBA Americas in Edmonton, Alberta.
“2014 ended on a high note for us, finishing 5th at the FIBA World Championships,” said Lisa Thomaidis, Head Coach,Women’s National 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 Men’s National Team is also in Group B with their first opponent being Dominican Republic on July 21. Canada will then play Argentina on July 22 and Mexico on July 23. The Pan Am Games will be an important competition for the Men leading up to the 2015 FIBA Americas in Monterrey, Mexico.
“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, Men’s National Team. “This is an important competition for our young talented team en route to qualifying for Rio 2016.”
Visit TORONTO2015.org/tickets to purchase your tickets for the event. For the full basketball schedule, please visit http://www.toronto2015.org/0/basketball-schedule.
Source: http://basketball.ca/hm/news-article/toronto2015-pan-am-games-basketball-schedule-released