Canada hasn’t escaped the group stage since 2016
Canadian Women’s Basketball will have to wait 4 more years to prove themselves again after being eliminated from the tournament following defeats to Australia and Nigeria. The Women finished 0-3, last in their group, with a point differential of -35, second worse in the tournament behind Japan’s -64.
Given the betting odds entering the tournament, something i’ve covered in previous articles, I’d call this performance a disappointment. This looks even more egregious given that with the loss to Nigeria in the final match, Canada not only secured their ticket home, but provided D’Tigress with only their second win since first qualifying for the ‘06 Olympics and first time advancing out of the group stage.
Yvonne Ejim unfortunately did not play against Australia, but did feature for 3 minutes against Nigeria towards the end of the game. In that time, she grabbed 2 rebounds, one offensive and one defensive, and committed a foul in the act of shooting that allowed -1 point. I will call myself out for the rotten egg prediction that Ejim may get rotational minutes for this team at the beginning of the tournament, but I hope she had a good experience at the Olympic Village and built relationships with her teammates that could foster success for her on the court.
When looking ahead at Yvonne Ejim’s future with the Canada Women’s Basketball Team, there may be an opening for playing time following the retirement of Natalie Achonwa. After debuting for her country at 17 years old, Achonwa went on to finish as her nation’s leader in Olympic (4), games played (18), and assists (43). In this tournament, the 6’3” forward, started every game and averaged 21 minutes, 4.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4 assists. She primarily split time on the court with 22 year old Aaliyah Edwards, which would seem to suggest that Edwards could step into a starting role moving forward and Ejim step into those rotational minutes. Additionally, center Kayla Alexander, who averaged 30.3 minutes, 9.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists this Olympics, will be 37 years old at the start of the 2028 Olympics, which may result in a reduced role on the court and more time for Ejim.
Regardless of her minimal role on the court for her nation, Gonzaga will likely be overjoyed to have Yvonne Ejim back healthy and wiser after her first trip to the Olympics where she competed in practice against high quality competition and watched some of the greats play up close. All hail @_vonnyyy_