Kelowna woman named to Canada's world cup basketball team

Photo: Contributed

Taya Hanson after winning gold at the Commonwealth Games

Could Taya Hanson's life be any busier in 2022?

The Kelowna native, who has two gold medals to show for time on the international basketball court, now gets a chance for a third.

Hanson, a Kelowna Secondary School grad, will compete for Canada for a third time this year as a member of the women's World cup team.

The team will compete in the FIBA women's World Cup beginning later this week in Sydney, Australia.

Earlier this summer, Hanson won gold at the inaugural GLOBL Jam competition in Toronto, then helped Canada to the top of the podium in the three-on-three tournament at the Commonwealth Games in England.

Now it's a trip down under and a chance to add to her growing trophy case.

Canada kicks off the basketball World Cup Wednesday evening Pacific time against Serbia.

France, Australia, Mali and Japan are also slotted in Canada's pool.

The top four teams in each pool will advance to the quarter-finals. The gold medal will will earn a berth directly into the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The tournament means Hanson will be a little late reporting for school at the University of Oregon.

Hanson will begin working on her Masters of Business while playing out her senior year with the Ducks.