Wheelchair Basketball Canada has unveiled the lineups for the upcoming world championships in Ottawa, with both the women’s and men’s teams finalized. The women’s squad features a mix of seasoned players and newcomers, including key members from the fourth-place Paralympic team in 2024 such as Kady Dandeneau, Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai, Tara Llanes, Cindy Ouellet, Tamara Steeves, Elodie Tessier, and Arinn Young. Additionally, Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Mercy Nyakundi, and Bethany Johnson have secured spots on the roster.
Having clinched fifth place at the 2022 championships, Canada’s women’s team aims to replicate their gold-winning performance from 2014 in Toronto. On the men’s side, the roster boasts seven returning players with experience from both the Paralympic Games and the 2022 worlds, including Reed De’Aeth, Nik Goncin, Colin Higgins, Lee Melymick, Tyler Miller, Blaise Mutware, and Garrett Ostepchuk. Joining them are newcomers Josh Brown, Ibrahim Odza, Kyrell Sopotyk, Lionel Tamoki, and Brandon Louie.
The Canadian men, who finished sixth at the 2022 worlds, are striving to reclaim the gold medal they last secured in 2006. The tournament, scheduled from Sept. 9-19, holds significant weight as it will determine the allocation of spots for each zone at the 2028 Paralympic Games.