CADET MEN’S TO MEXICO FOR FIBA AMERICAS U16 CHAMPIONSHIP
Leon, Mexico– Canada Basketball’s Cadet Men’s National Team (CMNT) is one of eight squads that will suit up this summer to compete in the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship for Men. The tournament will take place June 21-25 at the Domo de La Feria in Leon, Mexico.
FIBA Americas Secretary General, Alberto Garcia, visited the city to meet with the authorities and sign the deal with ADEMEBA and the Government figures to confirm the celebration of this tournament.
We are excited for the opportunity to continue the momentum started by the inaugural Cadet men’s national team, following their qualification and bronze medal at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship,” said Andrew Cook, Manager of Men’s Elite performance for Canada Basketball.
“This year’s cadet team will feature a talented young group of Canadians looking to begin their international careers representing our country.”
The 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship for Men qualifies the top three teams for the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Men. This marks the second edition of the event and the second time that the Canadian boys will be vying for a chance to compete on the global stage.
“The goal for the team is to win a medal in Mexico and return to the FIBA U17 World Championship in 2012,” added Cook.
Roy Rana will once again serve as the head coach of the CMNT, a position he has held since the team’s inception. Rana successfully led the CMNT to a bronze medal finish at both the 2009 and 2010 tournaments with top-flight players like Kevin Pangos (Holland Landing, Ont.), Duane Notice (Woodbridge, Ont.), Anthony Bennett (Brampton, Ont.) and Andrew Wiggins (Brampton, Ont.).
The other qualifying teams are: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and USA. The two remaining countries will come from the Central American and Caribbean Zone with the celebration of the Centrobasket U15 Championship this year. If the Centrobasket tournament is not played, FIBA Americas will announce the teams that will represent the zone.
In 2009, the CMNT successfully defeated Mexico (90-44), Bahamas (88-69), and Venezuela (106-81) to earn the 2010 berth. USA is the defending champion of this tournament that was played in 2009 in Mendoza, Argentina, and went on to win the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship in Hamburg, Germany.
