Jordin Canada has established herself as one of UCLA’s elite, averaging 11.8 points and 4.4 assists a game and becoming UCLA’s second-leading scorer in the 2014-2015 season. With one season at UCLA in the books, Canada proved to be a leader on the court and a dominant figure for the Bruins.
The rising sophomore guard claimed the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year title and helped the Bruins achieve an overall record of 19-18 in the regular season. UCLA also captured its first WNIT Championship and established itself as a youthful team with high potential for success in future seasons.
This summer, the rising sophomore faces her next challenge: the World University Games.
Team USA and Team Sweden
In 2011, Canada participated in the FIBA Americas U16 Championship, capturing the gold medal for the U.S. The U.S. national team finished the games with a perfect 5-0 record and allowed Canada to participate in the following season’s 2012 USA Basketball Women’s U17 World Championship Team Trials.
Both Canada and rising redshirt sophomore Paulina Hersler were selected to make the more than 6,000-mile cross-country trek from Westwood to South Korea to compete in the World University Games.
The two Bruins, however, will not be wearing the same jerseys. As Canada competes for the U.S., Hersler will be competing for her home country of Sweden.
After completing training camp held in Colorado Springs, Colo., Canada and the national team competed in their first preliminary game against Italy. Canada totaled nine points with seven assists and six steals in the second half against Italy. The U.S. national team secured an 80-68 win, advancing to its second game against China.
Canada finished that day in double figures, along with four other Americans, as the team defeated China 90-75.
The national team continued to dominate the competition as they defeated the Czech Republic by a 38-point gap. The U.S. shot 93 percent from the field in the first quarter, knocking down 14 out of 15 shot attempts. Though Canada scored one point against the Czech Republic, she was able to end her day with three assists, four steals and one rebound in 18 minutes of play.
With this 92-54 win against the Czech, the undefeated U.S. qualified to the medal quarterfinals on July 9, where they defeated the Hungarians 84-43.
Too close for comfort
Team USA faced its toughest competition in the semifinal matchup against Japan. A back-and-forth battle that resulted in two overtime periods put the U.S. players on their toes and forced them to answer Japan’s relentless efforts to the gold medal game. Canada, who started in the game versus Japan, ended the day with six points and triggered a run by the U.S. in the first overtime period. The U.S. was able to overcome the deficit it faced in regulation and hold off the Japanese 102-98.
Hersler and Team Sweden will be competing for the ninth place position in the games against Italy. Both Sweden and Italy have the same record of 1-2 and placed third in their group divisions.
Canada and the U.S. national team continue to look to add to their perfect record in the University Games with sights set on the gold. The U.S. will face Canada, a team with the same undefeated record, on Monday night in the gold-medal final round.
Compiled by Savannah Shapiro, Bruin Sports contributor.