Provo proud of Canada's Pan American Games gold

CHEKHOV/VIDNOE (2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - Watching Canada win gold in the women's basketball tournament at the Pan American Games has left Daneesha Provo and her team-mates bursting with pride at the 2015 FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship.

Having witnessed the senior team climb to the top of the podium in Toronto, Provo admitted that it has given everyone an additional boost ahead of their Round of 16 match-up against Serbia.

"Everyone is excited seeing us win the gold medal and it is very nice for everyone involved," said Provo.

"I am really close to Kim Gaucher [Smith] and so was happy for her - she went to the University of Utah and that is where I am also going this year.

We all really look up to them and we believe that Canada women's basketball is definitely on the rise. - Provo

"It makes us all want to really play our hearts out, so that hopefully we can be in that position one day.

"Canada Basketball is doing so much and as a player, it always feels like the coaches are really supportive and there is an investment being made in us."

Her words were echoed by Rich Chambers, who is excited for the present and the future of women's basketball in his country.

"The senior team represented themselves so well and the programme is bringing good attention to the country and to women's basketball across the nation," he said. 

"A great future lies in wait and this is a great development for the women who played exceptionally well and I expect it to now continue at the FIBA Americas Women's Championship."

Kia Nurse is the emerging star of Canada basketball and full credit to everyone who has helped to develop her along the way. - Chambers

Chambers also had special praise for Kia Nurse who, as a 1996-born player, qualified to play in Chekhov and Vidnoe, but was instead inspiring a leap to the top step of the podium for the seniors with a dazzling 33 points in the 81-73 derby win against USA.

"She had used the benefit of having had lots of good coaching and she is also a very special player in her own right.

"Her athleticism is off the chart and her competitive fire is probably as good as anyone’s I have ever come across."

Having lost against France and Belgium, Chambers and Canada will look to avoid a third straight defeat when they match-up against Serbia in the Round of 16 and bid to reach the Quarter-Final stage of the competition for the fourth consecutive time.

FIBA