After flaming out in France, Canadian women's basketball team resets for 2028 Olympic cycle

You could call it a passing of the torch.

But, really, what the Canadian women's basketball team did at the Olympics was more of a flameout.

Visions of a first-ever podium appearance went up in smoke on Sunday after a 79-70 loss to Nigeria in Lille, France. Canada finished the group stage 0-3 and, for the second straight Olympics, will not reach the knockout round.

"Disappointing," guard Shay Colley told reporters in Paris. "We didn't reach our goal even to get to [the knockout round], so it's very disappointing. We've just got to look to the future. We're a young group."

Those around Canada Basketball have often pointed to Los Angeles 2028 as a more realistic medal opportunity than these Olympics.

With Canada up four points at halftime and needing a 10-point victory to keep its Olympic hopes alive, head coach Victor Lapena benched veterans Natalie Achonwa and Kia Nurse in favour of 18-year-old Syla Swords and 22-year-old Aaliyah Edwards.

It did not go well, as Canada went on to lose the quarter 23-5, fully extinguishing any hopes of advancing.

WATCH | Canada goes winless after loss to Nigeria:

Still, the move offered a window into the team's thought process for these Games — an opportunity for its youngest players to gain valuable experience.

Before these Games even began, Lapena signed an extension through the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Germany.

Earlier this summer, Canada won silver in both the under-17 and under-18 world championships. Meanwhile, teens Swords and Cassandre Prosper have already graduated to the senior team, and both received meaningful minutes during the Olympic tournament.

"Have you seen our younger teams? Have you seen those that are coming up next? Be afraid," Achonwa said.

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