Photo by: Canada Basketball/Chris Poss
Kayla Alexander Named to Canadian National Team
9/10/2018 9:12:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Syracuse University's all-time leading scorer and WNBA veteran Kayla Alexander earned a spot on the Canadian Senior National Team for the upcoming FIBA Women's World Cup. It marks the first time the Milton, Ontario, Canada, native has made the senior national team. She previously played for Team Canada at the junior level.
"Representing my country is something I have dreamed of since I was a teenager," Alexander said. "I was blessed to represent Canada at the junior level and had always hoped to play for Canada on the senior level. That dream was finally realized this summer and it has been such a dream come true. It's been something I have been working towards the past six years."
Alexander and Team Canada played a pair of exhibitions this past weekend. First Canada defeated Japan 76-69 on Friday before losing to the USA, 74-68, on Saturday in Bridgeport, Conn. She had four points and four rebounds in the win over Japan on Friday.
"During our exhibition games the part that got me was hearing the Canadian National Anthem and signing it alongside my teammates and coaches," Alexander said. "I hadn't heard or sang it with fellow Canadians in so long!"
Against the U.S., Alexander had two points and five rebounds in eight minutes before a knee injury sidelined her. Monday's diagnosis will keep her off the court for the next few weeks deeming her unable to play for Canada in the 2018 FIBA World Cup.
"Unfortunately I will not get the chance to suit up for Canada this year as I injured my MCL in our exhibition game against the USA," Alexander said. "So I will be with the team fighting with them in spirit as they head to France then Spain for Worlds."
Team Canada travels to Antibes, France, this weekend for a three-game exhibition series against USA, France and Senegal Sept. 15-17.
"I'll be cheering them on loud and proud," Alexander added. "Go Team Canada!"
In 2013, Alexander, then a senior, became the third Syracuse women's basketball student-athlete to earn All-America recognition in program history when she was named Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention. She led the Orange to its third NCAA Tournament appearance as senior and paced the team with 577 points, which ranks third in Syracuse single-season history.
To date, Alexander owns the Syracuse career scoring record, tallying 2,024 points during her time with the Orange.
"Representing my country is something I have dreamed of since I was a teenager," Alexander said. "I was blessed to represent Canada at the junior level and had always hoped to play for Canada on the senior level. That dream was finally realized this summer and it has been such a dream come true. It's been something I have been working towards the past six years."
Alexander and Team Canada played a pair of exhibitions this past weekend. First Canada defeated Japan 76-69 on Friday before losing to the USA, 74-68, on Saturday in Bridgeport, Conn. She had four points and four rebounds in the win over Japan on Friday.
"During our exhibition games the part that got me was hearing the Canadian National Anthem and signing it alongside my teammates and coaches," Alexander said. "I hadn't heard or sang it with fellow Canadians in so long!"
Against the U.S., Alexander had two points and five rebounds in eight minutes before a knee injury sidelined her. Monday's diagnosis will keep her off the court for the next few weeks deeming her unable to play for Canada in the 2018 FIBA World Cup.
"Unfortunately I will not get the chance to suit up for Canada this year as I injured my MCL in our exhibition game against the USA," Alexander said. "So I will be with the team fighting with them in spirit as they head to France then Spain for Worlds."
Team Canada travels to Antibes, France, this weekend for a three-game exhibition series against USA, France and Senegal Sept. 15-17.
"I'll be cheering them on loud and proud," Alexander added. "Go Team Canada!"
In 2013, Alexander, then a senior, became the third Syracuse women's basketball student-athlete to earn All-America recognition in program history when she was named Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention. She led the Orange to its third NCAA Tournament appearance as senior and paced the team with 577 points, which ranks third in Syracuse single-season history.
To date, Alexander owns the Syracuse career scoring record, tallying 2,024 points during her time with the Orange.
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