Russell to Compete for Canada at 2022 World Cup Qualifying Tournament
February 08, 2022 | Women's Basketball
Merissah Russell is one of 19 players named to Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team that will compete at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament in Osaka, Japan from Feb. 10-13.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville women's basketball sophomore guard Merissah Russell is one of 19 players named to Canada's Senior Women's National Team that will compete at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament in Osaka, Japan from Feb. 10-13.
Canada is in Group C and will face hosts Japan on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 5 a.m. ET; Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1 a.m. ET; and Belarus on Sunday, Feb 13 at 1 a.m. ET.
"It is always an honor to represent Canada and my family on the world stage," said Russell. "Playing for my home country is something that always gives me goosebumps and I am very grateful to Coach Walz, the Louisville coaching staff and my teammates for allowing me the opportunity to travel overseas during our season."
"I'm really excited for Merissah to get this opportunity," said Louisville head coach Jeff Walz. "When recruiting internationally, I think it's important to understand the significance of these tournaments, which will sometimes take place during our season, and to make sure international student-athletes like Merissah get the chance to compete."
This past summer, Russell was one of four alternates named to the Canadian national team that competed in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
She also competed for Canada at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup in San Juan, Puerto Rico where she helped lead Canada to a perfect 4-0 record in pool play and a trip to the semifinals. In the win over El Salvador, she had nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from deep, while adding two steals. She had six points on 2-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc in a win over the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Canada must finish in the top three in their group to advance to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney later this year. Canada is in search of the 12th appearance at the event with their highest placement being a pair of third place finishes at the 1979 FIBA World Championship for Women (Korea) and 1986 FIBA World Championship for Women (Moscow).
For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.
Canada is in Group C and will face hosts Japan on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 5 a.m. ET; Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1 a.m. ET; and Belarus on Sunday, Feb 13 at 1 a.m. ET.
"It is always an honor to represent Canada and my family on the world stage," said Russell. "Playing for my home country is something that always gives me goosebumps and I am very grateful to Coach Walz, the Louisville coaching staff and my teammates for allowing me the opportunity to travel overseas during our season."
"I'm really excited for Merissah to get this opportunity," said Louisville head coach Jeff Walz. "When recruiting internationally, I think it's important to understand the significance of these tournaments, which will sometimes take place during our season, and to make sure international student-athletes like Merissah get the chance to compete."
This past summer, Russell was one of four alternates named to the Canadian national team that competed in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
She also competed for Canada at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup in San Juan, Puerto Rico where she helped lead Canada to a perfect 4-0 record in pool play and a trip to the semifinals. In the win over El Salvador, she had nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from deep, while adding two steals. She had six points on 2-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc in a win over the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Canada must finish in the top three in their group to advance to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney later this year. Canada is in search of the 12th appearance at the event with their highest placement being a pair of third place finishes at the 1979 FIBA World Championship for Women (Korea) and 1986 FIBA World Championship for Women (Moscow).
For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.
