BRNO (Czechia) - Canada's go-to baller Syla Swords has barely had time to draw breath during the last year, but when you're riding the crest of a beautiful basketball wave, you just keep on rolling.
History was made at Paris 2024 when the guard became the youngest ever player to step out for her country at the event.
Then just over a week ago, Swords handed Canada bronze at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025 with a buzzer-beater in the Third Place game. All that came either side of a fruitful freshman season in the NCAA with Michigan Wolverines.
It was obviously nerve-wracking... going into an arena with 27,000 people
Right now, it's all about chasing another podium place at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup - having already attained that achievement at the last edition two years ago.
"It's been a whirlwind," laughed Swords. "There have been so many different events, playing at the Olympics, going to College, being at the Women's AmeriCup and now here in Brno.
"But it's always an honor when you pull on the Canada jersey because not everyone gets the chance to represent their national team," she stressed.
Reflecting on her remarkable time at Paris 2024, Swords confessed that even now she was still coming to terms with what happened in the French capital. She explained: "It was exciting more than anything. Being an Olympian was my number one goal of anything [in life] before I even picked up a basketball. "Knowing that it was something that I was finally about to do, meant it was obviously nerve-wracking. Going into an arena with 27,000 people - all cheering and clapping in that first game. It was awesome.
"Honestly, it was just a dream and even looking back now, I don't believe that it happened. It was really cool."
Next up on the menu was her first NCAA chapter and normally when you pitch up at college you have to earn your stripes as a freshman.
But here was a College locker room somehow welcoming a new face who was an Olympian - causing the inevitable rib-tickling from her new teammates.
"Oh, the seniors were all over that," said Swords.
"They bugged me with those jokes for a while and I didn't like that, but it was all in good fun."
Averaging a stellar 16 points and 6 rebounds per game to underline her potential, the 19-year-old admitted that finding a slot at a college she is comfortable with has had a positive impact on her international ambitions. "It was great and I love my team and I play with [Canada teammate] Mila [Holloway] and the girls and the coaches are amazing.
"It's something that should take precedent over anything in any program - if you have good people then everything else is going to work itself out and it was just a great way for me to step into college basketball."
The upward trajectory of Swords was then extended further when she took to the court in Chile for the FIBA Women's Americup and ended up being named to the TISSOT All-Star Five at the showpiece event.
Fittingly, her heroics when sinking the last-ditch dagger in overtime against Argentina to claim the last podium step was a one-two punch with a 2023 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup colleague. "It was crazy," smiled Swords.
"I just knew that Delaney Gibb would throw a great pass and she is also younger like I am and we just have a great connection with each other.
"Looking back I am just realizing that as a team we did that, but now I am focusing on being here in Brno and trying to get an even higher result."
By making her return to the competition, Swords steps into an exclusive club of ballers to have appeared twice at the U19 Worlds - joining the likes of Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark and Jisu Park.
It felt like being in a video game... It was great for the fans and also cool and fun for us
But casting her mind back to 2023 in Madrid, it wasn't just the bronze medal that was uppermost in her mind - also the unforgettable ASB GlassFloor. "It felt like being in a video game," smiled Swords.
"The court would light up if you hit a three or the Canada flag would come on the court during the national anthem. It was great for the fans and also cool and fun for us."
To exceed their accomplishment two years ago, Canada will have to reach the title game on Czech soil. But Swords is adamant they are equipped to make a title challenge.
She declared: "We are a strong team all-around - guard play or bigs play. There are also a lot of younger players very excited to be here and that makes it a real buzz.
"We know we can do big things and we have confidence we can bring Canada to a higher level."
And, Swords and her teammates underlined that in emphatic fashion by strolling past Portugal 88-49 in their opening Group B encounter. She posted 18 points in just 22 minutes of action. For anyone else, that would be a great day.
For Syla, it’s just another casual moment in a wild year.
FIBA