Michelle and Katherine Plouffe, along with Paige Crozon and Katie Bosch, returned to action on April 23-24 for the first leg of the FIBA Women’s 3×3 Basketball Series in Springfield, USA. -United. The Canadians began the defense of their title by winning this first stage against the United States team, extricating themselves from the American trap to win the final by a score of 20 to 18.
It was Katherine Plouffe who was named Tournament Player of the Year after her five games where the Edmonton native accumulated 33 points, 24 rebounds and 15 assists. She scored the insurance point in the final after the Americans came back to within one point with 24 seconds left.
Before facing the United States in the final, the Canadians defeated Puerto Rico (21-10), Germany (21-14) and the Springfield team (18-15) in the first round. In the semi-final, they faced Springfield again, this time defeating them 21-13.
The competition was particularly strong with the presence of several big names in 3×3 basketball. In addition to the Canadian players – Michelle Plouffe is still considered the best player in the world in this category – it was possible to see in action Sonja Greinacher and Svenja Brunckhorst, two solid players from Germany who are as intense as they are efficient.
In the USA jersey, college mega-star Hailey Van Lith, coming off an up-and-down season with Louisiana State University, teamed up with Cierra Burdick, Rhyne Howard – 1st overall pick in the draft 2022 by the Atlanta Dream, 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year and twice All-Star – a Lexie Hull, you Fever d’Indiana.
On the Springfield side, we could find the new player of the Los Angeles Sparks, selected second overall in the recent WNBA draft, Cameron Brink, who lit up the courts with her protection of the ring and some extraordinary blocks. She was partnered with Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream and 2017 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Linnae Harper of the Washington Mystics and Dearica Hamby of the Sparks completed the lineup.
Two teams therefore represented our neighbors to the south (United States and Springfield), Canada (Canada and Calgary) and Germany (Germany and Fribourg). France and Puerto Rico were the other teams participating in this first stage of the series.
Despite their success in the FIBA 3×3 series, Canadian players still have not qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. They will have the opportunity to do so during a tournament to be held May 3-5 in Japan. During this tournament, only the victorious team qualifies for the Games. If the Canadians fail, they will have one last chance at a tournament from May 16 to 19 in Hungary. On this occasion, three teams will receive their ticket to Paris 2024.
The series will move to Marseille on May 29 and 30 for the second stage. Mark your calendars for the dates of 29 a you June 30th while the stars of 3×3 women’s basketball will once again come to showcase their talent in our national capital, in Quebec. Hats off to Mathieu Rousseau of the Capitale-Nationale Leisure and Sports Unit and the RSEQ of the Quebec and Chaudières-Appalaches region, as well as his colleagues, for the organization of this event which deserves to be highlighted light.
2024-04-26 03:18:52
#Canadians #pick #left #3×3
