Wheelchair Basketball Canada has unveiled the rosters for the upcoming world championships in Ottawa, featuring both women’s and men’s teams. The women’s team includes familiar faces such as Kady Dandeneau, Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai, Tara Llanes, Cindy Ouellet, Tamara Steeves, Elodie Tessier, and Arinn Young who were part of the fourth-place Paralympic team in 2024. Joining them are Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Mercy Nyakundi, and Bethany Johnson.
Canada, which finished fifth at the 2022 championships, last claimed victory in 2014 when the women secured gold in Toronto. The men’s team features seven returning players 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. They will be joined by newcomers Josh Brown, Ibrahim Odza, Kyrell Sopotyk, Lionel Tamoki, and Brandon Louie.
The Canadian men, who placed sixth at the 2022 worlds, last clinched the top spot in 2006. The tournament, scheduled from Sept. 9-19, will play a crucial role in determining the allocation of spots for each zone at the 2028 Paralympic Games.