ABA alums Ejim and Kyei invited to Canada's Global Jam training camp

ABA (Alberta Basketball Association) alums Yvonne Ejim and Phillipina Kyei are among the 15 U23 Women’s National Team athletes who will attend Canada Basketball’s training camp in Toronto later this month ahead of the inaugural GLOBL JAM FIVES tournament.

Calgary’s Ejim is coming off a sensational sophomore season at Gonzaga University in 2021-22, when she was named was named the West Coast Conference Sixth Woman of the Year and was to the All-WCC Second Team. She helped Gonzaga win the WCC championship and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Kyei, also from Calgary, began her college basketball career in 2021-22 at the University of Oregon. She averaged 3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds as a freshman center, helping the Ducks qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

“Alberta Basketball Association congratulates Yvonne and Phillipina on their invites to Canada’s Global Jam training camp," says Paul Sir, Alberta Basketball Association executive director. "They are tremendous players and deserving of their place among our country’s best young players. Best of luck to Yvonne and Phillipina.

Set to take place in Toronto from July 5-10, GLOBL JAM will shine the international spotlight on the game’s rising stars and feature women’s and men’s teams from around the world competing in an Under-23 tournament live at Mattamy Athletic Centre and broadcast nationally on Sportsnet. Canada will face Brazil (July 5, 7 PM MT), USA (July 6, 7 PM MT) and Italy (July 7, 7 PM MT) in preliminary round robin action.  All teams will advance to the semifinal round on Saturday, July 9, followed by the Championship games on Sunday, July 10.

GLOBL JAM offers a unique development opportunity for targeted players within the Senior Women’s National Team program as they also have their sights on the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 later this year and further ahead to the Paris 2024 and LA 2028 Olympic Games.

The group features players with a variety of national team experience, ranging from Olympians to those who have represented Canada at both the international and regional levels in various FIBA age-group competitions to those hoping to make their debut for Canada.

Ejim has previously represented Canada at the 2017 U16 FIBA Americas Championship, 2018 U17 FIBA World Cup, 2019 U19 FIBA World Cup and 2021 U19 FIBA World Cup. Kyei is aiming to make her Team Canada debut.

Training camp will be held June 22-July 4, 2022 at Scotiabank Arena ahead of GLOBL JAM tipping off on July 5.