TORONTO (May 5, 2025) – Canada Basketball has named Nell Fortner as the next head coach of the Senior Women’s National Team, signalling the start of a new chapter as 25 athletes formally commit to the program through the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

An Olympic gold medallist, FIBA World Champion, former WNBA coach and executive, and recently retired NCAA coach, Fortner brings decades of leadership and excellence across every level of the game – she will assume the role effective immediately.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nell to Canada Basketball,” said Steve Baur, General Manager and Vice-President, Women’s High Performance. “She’s a proven leader with deep experience at the highest levels of the sport, and someone whose values and vision strongly align with the standards our program has committed to for the future.”

Fortner is the winningest coach in USA Basketball women’s history, with a staggering 101-14 record, including gold medals at the 1998 FIBA World Championship and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. She also served as the first head coach and general manager of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever and guided three NCAA programs – Purdue, Auburn and Georgia Tech – to national tournament appearances, earning Coach of the Year honours in three Power Four conferences, and brought Georgia Tech to only its second-ever Sweet 16 in 2021.

“I’m honoured to join Canada Basketball and help lead this next chapter for the Senior Women’s National Team,” said Fortner. “I’ve followed the rise of this program for years and have great respect for the culture the organization and players are building. This is a special group with the talent, toughness and togetherness and they have the ability to achieve something great – I’m excited to get to work.”

Fortner’s appointment follows a global search led by Canada Basketball, guided by criteria including international pedigree, WNBA and NCAA coaching experience, and a proven track record of winning.

As part of the process, Canada Basketball also incorporated the standards and cultural principles established by athletes at a player-led summit held last November.

“What stood out with Nell was how naturally she aligned with the identity our athletes helped define — not just in terms of basketball experience, but in leadership, accountability and culture,” said Baur. “Her approach reflected the expectations set by the group and the direction we believe this team needs to go.”

In November 2024, members of the Senior Women’s National Team met with program leadership to establish cultural principles, commitment expectations and a long-term pathway for podium success on the international stage. Together the group aligned on key standards and “non-negotiables” that now form the foundation of the women’s high-performance program.

“This commitment represents a shared belief in what we’re building and how we intend to get there,” said Baur. “Our athletes set a clear tone for this next chapter, and we’re proud to see that vision backed by such a strong group of players.”

“This is more than just a list of names, it’s a committed core who understand what’s expected — from availability to accountability — and who believe in where this program is going.”

Building on the athlete-centric feedback, Canada Basketball formalized a framework which sets program and player expectations around commitment, accountability and culture. The 25 athletes named today have committed themselves to the framework, through to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany.

“We were clear about what this program needs to reach the next level — and that started with setting our own standards for commitment and accountability,” said two-time Olympian and Senior Women’s National Team athlete, Bridget Carleton. “This isn’t just about how we show up, but how we push toward something bigger.”

“It was about setting expectations we believe in — and being ready to hold ourselves and each other to that level if we want to go somewhere this program hasn’t been before. That’s the standard now.”

Coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, and a program-best four consecutive Olympic appearances, the team enters a transitional period. With several key veterans retiring from international play, a new generation — including many highschool and collegiate standouts — has emerged, earning their place in the senior pool as the next chapter of the program begins.

Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team will compete this summer at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. The top six teams will qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, which takes place next March. The team will also hold a training camp this November in Victoria, B.C., as it continues preparations for the next stage of FIBA World Cup qualification.

Further details regarding summer programming, the coaching staff, and the team’s roadmap to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Canada is currently ranked No. 7 in the latest FIBA World Rankings, presented by Nike.

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Senior Women’s National Team – Athlete Pool

Kayla Alexander – Milton, Ont.
Jasmine Bascoe – Milton, Ont.
Niyah Becker – Winnipeg, Man.
Bridget Carleton – Chatham, Ont.
Shay Colley – Brampton, Ont.
Shy Day-Wilson – Toronto, Ont.
Quinn Dornstauder – Regina, Sask.
Yvonne Ejim – Calgary, Alta.
Aaliyah Edwards – Kingston, Ont.
Delaney Gibb – Raymond, Alta.
Taliyah Henderson – Vail, Arizona
Sami Hill – Toronto, Ont.
Avery Howell – Boise, Idaho
Phillipina Kyei – Calgary, Alta.
Latasha Lattimore – Toronto, Ont.
Agot Makeer – Thunder Bay, Ont.
Kia Nurse – Hamilton, Ont.
Shaina Pellington – Pickering, Ont.
Emily Potter – Winnipeg, Man.
Merissah Russell – Ottawa, Ont.
Savvy Swords – Sudbury, Ont.
Syla Swords – Sudbury, Ont.
Sarah Te-Biasu – Montreal, Que.
Tara Wallack – Surrey, B.C.
Keishana Washington – Pickering, Ont.