Prairie athletes in Paris: Canada women's 3x3 team also representing Alberta at Olympics

A two-pointer and a quick steal led to the Plouffe twins connecting for a lay-up, capturing Canada's victory over China, the No. 1 seed in the Paris Olympics women's 3x3 basketball tournament.

Celine Dion's I'm Alive played in the outdoor arena as Katherine Plouffe, her sister Michelle, Kacie Bosch and Paige Crozon — the four who make up Team Canada — high-fived and hugged on the court in Paris, before applauding those in the stands as they walked off.

"What an Olympic debut for this team — this country — in 3x3 basketball," said CBC play-by-play commentator Daniella Ponticelli.

Wednesday marked the country's second Olympic win in women's 3x3 — and another step to earning hardware in Paris.

Team Canada entered the 2024 Games ranked No. 1 in the world in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rankings, although they are the fifth seed in the tournament. Three of their players — the Plouffe sisters and Crozon — were ranked top three in the world; Bosch was ranked 27th.

As the world watches these women represent the red-and-white — they are also representing Alberta.

The Plouffes are from Edmonton. Bosch is from Lethbridge and played for the University of Lethbridge women's basketball team. She and Crozon, originally from Humboldt, Sask., are now assistant coaches at the U of L.

People involved in Alberta basketball say the game is booming, but having four women from the province on the world's largest stage — in a second stream of basketball — could impact a generation of aspiring players.

"We all need a North Star for our path. Those women, right now, in what they're doing in 3x3, create that for the young women — and the young players in general," said Dave Drabiuk, executive director of the Alberta Basketball