FIBA AmeriCup 2025 – Team profile: Canada

MIAMI (United States) – Canada is enjoying one of the brightest periods in its basketball history. The individual talent the country boasts with NBA standouts and stars in European leagues is translating into success for the national team. At the FIBA World Cup 2023, Canada secured third place by defeating the United States and earned its first Olympic berth since 2000. The team finished fifth at Paris 2024, and later, without their NBA stars, they punched their ticket to the AmeriCup with a 4-2 record in the Qualifiers.

Following that strong run, Canada currently sits sixth in the FIBA World Ranking and second in the Americas.

The unfinished business for the Canadian squad is, precisely, the AmeriCup. They have been contenders in the tournament but have never won it, and this time, they seem to have the tools to finally reach the top. The lingering goal for the Canadian squad is the AmeriCup. They have never won the title despite years of contention. With the roster assembled for 2025, Canada appears to have the right tools to finally reach the top.

Tournament history

Canada has participated in all 20 editions of the tournament. The country joins Argentina, Brazil, and Puerto Rico as the only ones with perfect attendance. They have a total of six medals, four bronze and two silver. In the most recent edition in 2022, they finished in fourth place.

Players to watch

The team announced a stacked roster featuring players who stand out in European leagues, such as point guard Trae Bell-Haynes, center Mfiondu Kabengele, and forward Kyle Wiltjer. Bell-Haynes averaged 10.7 points and 6.2 assists in the AmeriCup Qualifiers, while Kabengele posted 17.0 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Both were key in securing the team’s berth in the continental tournament.

Also in the mix are shooting guard Nate Darling and forward Quincy Guerrier, both of whom saw action in the Qualifiers and most recently played in the NBA G League. But the spotlight is on Canada’s young NBA duo: Kyshawn George (Washington) and Leonard Miller (Minnesota). George averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 26.5 minutes over 65 games as a rookie last season, while Miller, who debuted in 2023–24, has logged 30 games in two seasons. Their development and impact could be decisive in Nicaragua.

Head coach: Nate Mitchell

Mitchell will take charge at the AmeriCup for the second straight time. He was on the sidelines during the Qualifier windows and knows the process well. Gordie Herbert was appointed Canada’s head coach earlier this year but will not be able to take the reins full-time until the summer of 2026 due to contractual commitments.

Outlook

Canada enters the AmeriCup as one of the top contenders, with a well-rounded roster and continuity under Mitchell. Its players are coming off strong seasons, and many have already developed chemistry during the Qualifiers. The team will compete in Group B against Venezuela, Panama, and Puerto Rico. The expectation is that they will battle Puerto Rico for the top spot, as Panama and Venezuela appear a step behind.

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