That victory followed a 110-84 triumph over Puerto Rico earlier in the window, leaving the program firmly on course for the tournament proper.
Dominant Window in Ontario Capped by Win Over Jamaica
Playing before a home crowd in Hamilton, the Canadian squad overwhelmed Jamaica behind 20 points from Dillon Brooks. Andrew Thelwell led Jamaica with 25 points in the losing effort.
The performance built on a 110-84 win against Puerto Rico days earlier. Having already guaranteed a first-place finish in Group B, Canada safely advances to the second round of qualification with an unblemished record.
Brotherly Reunion on the National Stage
The window also marked a rare family milestone for the program.
Andrew Nembhard, 26, who averaged 16.9 points and 7.7 assists per game for the Indiana Pacers during the 2025–26 NBA season, scored 17 points against Jamaica. Younger brother Ryan Nembhard, 23, who posted 6.6 points and 5.3 assists per game in his debut campaign with the Dallas Mavericks, chipped in three points and five assists.
Building Toward Qatar 2027
The current qualifying campaign follows a historic stretch for Canadian basketball. The men’s program captured a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila—the nation’s first podium finish at the tournament—before securing a fifth-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Canada currently sits fifth in the FIBA Men’s World Ranking, presented by Nike, according to Canada Basketball.
As the senior men’s team continues its journey toward the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup, Canada Basketball has also turned attention to upcoming domestic exhibition and qualifying fixtures. The organization announced its “East to West: Road to the World Cup” series, which features home games for both the senior men’s and women’s national teams, according to Canada Basketball.
“We are thrilled to bring our senior national teams back to Canadian soil as we continue our path toward the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 in Berlin and the FIBA Men’s World Cup 2027 in Qatar,” Michael Bartlett, president and chief executive officer of Canada Basketball, said in a statement released by Canada Basketball.
Next Fixtures on the Horizon
The women’s national team will face Mexico on November 17, 2025, at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, ahead of the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Istanbul, Turkey. Meanwhile, the senior men’s team will host the Bahamas on December 1, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto during the next window of qualifying action, as detailed by Canada Basketball.
