Puerto Rico and the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup (December 9-15, 2024)

The FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup is an annual tournament that serves as a qualifier for the World Cup and, starting this year, also for the Champions Cup. The Champions Cup will bring together winners from the Euro Cup, Asia Cup, Afro Basket, and other top ranked teams, setting the stage for an even more significant event in 2028 when it becomes a direct qualifier for the Olympics. This year’s AmeriCup carried even greater weight, making it an exciting and pivotal competition.

December 9: Arrival in Puerto Rico

After arriving in Puerto Rico on December 9, I started the trip with a visit to El Yunque Rainforest. The tour was described as a “majestic hike to a waterfall, riding nature’s waterslide, and rock jumping.” While the terrain was more challenging than expected—wet rocks, protruding branches, and all—it was absolutely worth it. As a lifelong fan of FernGully, stepping into the rainforest was amazing. It was so lush, green and serene which left me feeling recharged and calm.

I also indulged in fresh fruit and açai bowls that day—my favourite. It was a beautiful and rejuvenating way to begin the trip.

December 10: Local Vibes

Before moving to the tournament hotel, I spent the morning exploring a local diner that served the best homemade guava jelly. After breakfast, I wandered down to a nearly empty beach—tourist season doesn’t pick up until January—so I had lots of space to relax and read my book.

Later in the day, I joined my teammates at the tournament hotel, ready to dive into preparation.

December 11: Scrimmages and Reunions

Some of my teammates arrived at 3 a.m., but despite the lack of rest, we launched into a busy day. We started with an event photoshoot and then headed to a local school for scrimmages against Puerto Rico and the USA. These games were invaluable for testing plays and strategies and preparing for the competition.

One of the highlights of the day was meeting Alissa Pili, another University of Utah alum. Between Alissa, Kim Gaucher, Michelle Plouffe, and me, Utah was well represented in the gym..

In the afternoon, we went to the beach and enjoyed naps on the sand and ocean swims. Dinner with the men’s team capped off the day as we watched qualifying games and built anticipation for the tournament.

December 12: Game Day

The competition officially began with pool play. We faced Jamaica and Mexico, going 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals. This tournament featured a new combination of players for our team, so these games helped us find the sets and actions that worked best for our group.

Our men’s team also went 2-0, securing their spot in the quarterfinals. After the games, we refueled at a Brazilian restaurant—a protein-packed feast to aid recovery.

December 13: Off Day

An off day came as a welcome surprise—I woke up far sorer than anticipated after just two games! The day was all about rest, starting with lunch and a fiercely competitive game of Codenames against our men’s team.

In the afternoon, we soaked up the perfect beach weather with members of Canada Basketball. I stayed in the ocean so long my hands pruned. The evening ended at the venue, watching intense games, including an electrifying Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic matchup.

December 14: Knockout Rounds and FINISHING VICTORIOUS

The knockout rounds began with our first-ever matchup against Cuba. With shots falling, we moved on to face Brazil in the semifinals. Brazil’s teams are always strong, physical, and talented, making every match-up a challenge.

After a hard-fought win, we advanced to the gold medal game against the USA. Their roster was packed with WNBA talent, setting the stage for an epic battle. We led by 3 with 90 seconds to go, but the USA forced overtime with a clutch two-pointer and layup. In overtime, Katherine secured the win with two critical baskets, clinching our second AmeriCup title.

The men’s team narrowly missed a spot in the final after a tough loss to Puerto Rico but claimed their first-ever bronze medal—historic for Canada. Steve Sir was named a tournament all-star, while I was honored to be named the women’s MVP, standing alongside Brittany Sykes (USA) and Gabriella Soars (Brazil).

December 15: Homeward Bound

After an unforgettable tournament, I was eager to return home and reunite with Poppy. She couldn’t join me this time because of hockey and Christmas celebrations, but she made me promise to take her to the rainforest someday.

The AmeriCup and trip to Puerto Rico was a really nice way to cap off 2024. It was an absolute whirlwind and overall amazing. As I mentioned in press after the tournament, one thing I learned this year is to not get too high and not get too low. Playing at a high level can be totally consuming and losing at the Olympics felt devasting. So the past few months has been a process of remembering (or learning) my values and to stay grounded and humbled no matter the outcome.