Canada Basketball announced on Monday that it has mutually agreed to part ways with women’s national team head coach Victor Lapena, just two months after the team faced a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics. The national team finished winless in the group stage, ultimately placing 11th after losses to France, Australia, and Nigeria, which led to a reassessment of the program’s direction.
Lapena, who signed a contract extension in May to lead the national team through the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, had a notable record of 17 wins and 10 losses in FIBA competitions since taking the helm in January 2022. His extension included an understanding that he could pursue professional coaching opportunities while remaining available for national team duties. Earlier this year, Lapena accepted a position with Turkish club Cukurova Basketbol Kulubu, raising concerns about his commitment to the national program.
In light of the team’s performance at the Olympics, Canada Basketball determined it would be in the best interest of both parties for Lapena to focus on his professional responsibilities. The governing body emphasized that they are currently evaluating their training and competition calendar leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and will initiate a search for a new head coach as part of this process.
During his tenure, Lapena guided the national team to a bronze medal at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2023 and a fourth-place finish at the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup, achievements that showcased the potential of Canadian women’s basketball. However, the recent Olympic results prompted a need for change as the organization aims to build a more competitive team for future international competitions.
As Canada Basketball embarks on this new chapter, the focus will be on recruiting a coach who can further develop the talent pool and enhance the team’s performance on the global stag
