CANADA BASKETBALL AWARDED BOYS' FIBA U18 AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP 2018

ST. CATHARINES, ON (April 12, 2017) – Today, Canada Basketball in partnership with the Niagara Sports Commission, announced that the city of St. Catharines will host the boys’ FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018 in St. Catharines. Bringing this event to Canada and specifically the Niagara Region allows us to showcase our nation as a world-class destination for international basketball events and for Canadians to see our talented up-and-coming stars compete on home soil,” said Michele O’Keefe, President & CEO, Canada Basketball.

“The FIBA technical legacy for hosting this event for athletes, coaches and officials will be incredibly beneficial to our continued alignment and domestic development.”

St. Catharines is known as a premier tourist destination synonymous with scenic beauty and sports excellence. The world-class Meridian Centre will play host to the bi-annual event taking place June 11-17, 2018.

“The Niagara Sport Commission is pleased to be partnered with Canada Basketball to bring this event and calibre of basketball to Niagara and host it in St. Catharines,” said Bram Cotton, CEO, Niagara Sports Commission. “Events such as these bring profile to the region and city, and will showcase us nationally and internationally and bring visitors to our community to benefit of our economy.”

The seven-day tournament sees the top eight teams from the FIBA Americas zone vying for a top-three finish to qualify for the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.

“The FIBA U18 Americas Championship is one of the most exciting basketball events in our region as it puts a spotlight on the future stars of our sport and serves as an important international platform in their development process,” said FIBA Americas President Mr. Usie Richards. “We’re happy to announce Canada as the host of its 2018 edition. Their commitment is proof of the attention to detail the federation has put into the growth of youth basketball not only in their national team program, but throughout the continent. We are more than confident that it will be a great and memorable event for the participants as well as for basketball fans everywhere.”

Canada’s youth men are currently ranked 3rd in the world and 2nd in the Americas. Athletes born January 1, 2000 or later will be eligible to participate in the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas.

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For more information, contact:

Bailey Williams

Manager, Communications

Canada Basketball

647.460.7976

bwilliams@basketball.ca

Shawn McCart

Director, Communications

Niagara Sports Commission

289.362.2215 Ext. 3

shawn.mccart@niagarasportcommission.com