Canadian women’s basketball team hosts Turkey in three-game series

EDMONTON — Canada’s women’s basketball team will host Turkey in an exhibition series in July, as part of the team’s preparation for the 2018 World Cup.

The three-game series — the Edmonton Grads International Classic — is July 4, 6 and 7 at Edmonton’s Saville Community Sports Centre.

“Playing at home is always an honour and privilege and one that our entire team and staff look forward to,” women’s coach Lisa Thomaidis said in a release. “We can’t wait to get back on the court to play against a world class team in Turkey this July.”

Canada is a program-high fifth in the FIBA world rankings after winning the FIBA Americas title last summer. Turkey is No. 7-ranked and a fifth-place finish at FIBA EuroBasket earned the country a spot in the Women’s Basketball World Cup, Sept. 22-30 in Tenerife, Spain.