Trio of Canadians enter WNBA season ready to take next step

When the WNBA came to Canada for an exhibition last Saturday, it was hailed in part as an opportunity to show young girls that their basketball dreams are possible.

"If I were to go to a game in Canada, especially just being able to see people that look like me, that I could potentially fill their shoes one day, I would have had those dreams for myself," said Bridget Carleton, the Chatham, Ont., native who was the lone Canadian to play in the game at Scotiabank Arena. 

"And it really wasn't until like my senior year of college where I thought, 'Oh, maybe I can play in the WNBA.'"

Kia Nurse, of Hamilton, Ont., signed with the Seattle Storm in free agency after two years with the Phoenix Mercury. Rookie Laeticia Amihere, of Mississauga, Ont., is the newcomer, having been picked eighth overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2023 draft.

Natalie Achonwa, of Guelph, Ont., is under contract with the Lynx but currently away from the team after recently giving birth to her son.

All four played key roles at the World Cup in September when Canada placed fourth for its best finish at a major tournament since 1986.

WATCH | Canada drops bronze-medal game at World Cup:

Carleton, the 25-year-old who was named a tournament all-star, said it was a "big step" for her.

"I think I've continued to get better and better and work as hard as I can to be the best player I can be for the Lynx this summer and for the national team heading into the next Olympic cycle, the next Olympics," she said. "But yeah, I'm feeling confident and ready to take a step, definitely with this team, and being the best version of myself"

Cheryl Reeve, the head coach and president of the Lynx, said that confidence is key for the Canadian. She said she's joked with Carleton that she should pretend she's in the Canada Basketball environment even in Minnesota.

Carleton led Canada with 12.8 points in over 30 minutes per game at the World Cup, compared to 4.3 points in 16.8 minutes per game last season with the Lynx.

"That's exactly the next step, gaining that confidence that you're not a reserve player in terms of, you might be coming off the bench, but the expectation for you is to perform while you're in there. You're not deferring all the time. To kind of take the bull by the horns and establish an identity offensively," Reeve said.

WATCH | Carleton discusses playing in Toronto:

While Carleton's emergence as a key player for Canada came slowly, Nurse has been a focal point since her breakout at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto.