ANKARA (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Veteran guard Kim Gaucher believes the future of the Canada backcourt is in safe hands despite suffering  first loss at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Indeed Gaucher is hugely excited about what could follow, such is the current glut of emerging talent.

Canada are treading the hardwood in Ankara with a trio of young guns in Kia Nurse, Miah-Marie Langlois and Nirra Fields.

Others like Jamie Weisner, who made the All-Tournament Team at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women last year are waiting patiently in the wings.

"It's amazing for these young players to be able to get experience of this kind of environment," explained Gaucher after a hard fought 55-44 defeat at the hands of the hosts Turkey.

"For them to be able to play at this tournament against Turkey in front of a packed house is amazing for them and makes for a bright future for Canadian basketball.

"We have such a wealth of talent and I actually though Nirra came in and did a great job for us in this second game, after Miah-Marie had an impact in the first.

"When you think about other players like Jamie who tried out at camp but didn’t quite make it, we know it's a very positive situation for our programme."

Head coach Lisa Thomaidis echoed this sentiment although she added a note of caution in that her players are still lacking in experience.

"I am hugely proud of my young players as they are generally competing against opposing guards who are all in their late 20s," she said.

"We may have to speed up the process of them gaining more experiences, but we hope that they will continue their progress.

"It helps having players like Kim around, since she continues to do a great job in helping the advancement of all our younger players."

Meanwhile, Gaucher herself isn't planning on hanging up her basketball shoes just yet.

"Don't go trying to push out the older ones," smiled the 30-year old. "I plan on being around for a bit longer yet."

Canada will play France in their last Group C game on Tuesday.

FIBA