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(Image Credit: Alberta Basketball Association)
Women's Basketball

Local area athlete helps Team Canada win Olympic pre-qualifying tournament

Aug 24, 2026 | 2:12 PM

A southern Alberta basketball player was part of Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team that beat Mexico 83-53 in Guadalajara on Sunday, Aug. 23, to win the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament 2026.

Delaney Gibb, from Raymond, was instrumental in the match, along with Yvonne Ejim of Calgary.

Officials from the Alberta Basketball Association note Ejim recorded a double-double, with 10 points and 17 rebounds, while Gibb had a game-high four steals as Canada defeated the hosts of the eight-team tournament at Arena Astros.

With the victory, Canada clinches a berth in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2028, which serves as the final stage of qualifying for women’s basketball at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Canada had a perfect record of 5-0 in Guadalajara, including an 86-71 victory over New Zealand in the semi-final round on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Ejim was named as one of the tournament’s “All-Star Five”, after leading the tournament in total rebounds, averaging 11.2 boards per game. The forward also chipped in with averages of 6.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals over five games.

Gibb, meanwhile, had nine steals to lead Canada, while ranking third in the tournament with an average of 1.8 steals to turnovers. Over five games, the guard averaged 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

“We were filled with great pride watching Yvonne and Delaney represent our country on the world stage,” says Dave Drabiuk, Executive Director of the Alberta Basketball Association. “Congratulations to Team Canada for taking its next step on the path to the Olympics.”Ejim and Gibb are both ABA provincial team alumni.