The Canadian men’s basketball program continued its impressive international ascent Sunday night with a crushing 99-49 victory over Panama at the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 qualifiers in Ottawa. The 50-point dismantling showcased Canada’s growing depth beyond its NBA stars, as the national team improved to 3-0 in qualification play.
“This wasn’t just about winning—it was about establishing a culture of excellence throughout our entire program,” said Canadian head coach Jordi Fernandez after the game. “When you see players making the extra pass and taking pride in defensive stops, that’s when you know something special is happening.”
Playing before a sold-out crowd at TD Place Arena, Canada wasted no time asserting dominance, opening with a 26-8 first quarter that essentially decided the contest before it truly began. The Canadians extended their lead to 30 points by halftime, allowing Fernandez to distribute minutes across his roster.
Veteran guard Phil Scrubb led the balanced Canadian attack with 17 points, while Thomas Kennedy added 15 points and 8 rebounds in just 18 minutes of action. The defensive intensity was particularly noteworthy, as Canada forced 23 turnovers and held Panama to a dismal 29% shooting from the field.
“We’re building something that extends beyond any single tournament,” Kennedy told reporters. “Every player wearing the maple leaf understands they’re part of a larger mission to establish Canada as a basketball powerhouse.”
The victory continues Canada’s remarkable international momentum following their historic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics this summer. While Olympic stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, and RJ Barrett weren’t available for this qualification window, their absence highlighted the program’s growing depth.
Panama, ranked 51st globally, struggled throughout against Canada’s size and speed. Forward Trevor Gaskins managed 14 points in a losing effort, but found little support as Canada’s switching defense smothered passing lanes and contested virtually every shot.
“The gap between the top-tier teams and the rest of the Americas is evident,” said Panama head coach Flor Melendez. “Canada’s physical tools combined with their tactical discipline makes them incredibly difficult to play against, especially when they’re shooting the ball well.”
Canada connected on 12 three-pointers and recorded 26 assists on 37 field goals, demonstrating the unselfish play that has become a hallmark under Fernandez’s leadership. The team’s commitment to ball movement created open shots throughout the game, with six different players hitting from beyond the arc.
Basketball Canada CEO Michael Bartlett praised the team’s development pipeline before the game. “What we’re seeing now is the result of years of infrastructure building across the country. The depth of talent coming through our system means we can field competitive teams for multiple international competitions simultaneously.”
The significance of this qualification tournament extends beyond immediate results. Canada Basketball has strategically used these windows to develop chemistry and evaluate talent for future competitions, including the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Five years ago, we might have approached these games differently,” admitted assistant coach Nathaniel Mitchell. “Now we’re using every minute of international play to refine our system and build meaningful depth throughout the program.”
Canada’s next qualification games come in February, when they’ll face Nicaragua in a home-and-away series. With three commanding victories already secured, Canada has all but guaranteed its place in the 2025 AmeriCup tournament.
For Panama, the road ahead looks challenging as they fell to 0-3 in group play. They’ll need to regroup quickly before their February qualifiers to maintain hopes of advancing.
As Canadian fans filed out of TD Place, the conversation had already shifted from this victory to the program’s long-term trajectory. With Olympic hardware secured and a new generation of talent emerging, Canada’s basketball renaissance appears firmly established rather than merely a momentary peak.
“What excites me most isn’t just tonight’s win,” Scrubb reflected after the game. “It’s knowing how many talented young Canadians are watching this team and dreaming about representing their country someday. That’s how you build a sustainable program.”
