WNBA ballers hitting the court at Rogers Place Saturday
Pro ballers are preparing to dish it up at Rogers Place.
Canada's second-ever pre-season WNBA game will be played in Edmonton Saturday with the Los Angeles Sparks taking on the Seattle Storm.
Storm head coach Noelle Quinn is also the lead assistant coach for the Canada Women's National Team, which is ranked fifth in the world by FIBA.
"People can expect a great game," said Tammy Sutton-Brown, former WNBA All-Star. "The girls are going to play hard … I think it's going to be a really competitive game and it's going to be a fun atmosphere."
Last year a pre-season game in Toronto set WNBA records for broadcast viewership, attendance and merchandise sales in Canada.
The game comes at the end of what the WNBA says is its most-watched regular season in 21 years. This year, a record-number of Candians also tuned into the 2024 WNBA Draft, shattering the previous record by 111 per cent.
Sutton-Brown was the first Canadian selected as a WNBA All-Star. She said games like this are important in showcasing the talent and opportunities in the league.
"In order to be it, you have to see it. So for the young boys, the young girls, I think this is a great opportunity," she said. "I encourage dads to bring their daughters out. And then also your sons as well, because they're going to be advocates too when it comes to women and sports."
According to Canadian Women and Sport, Canada has put in a bid for a WNBA expansion team.
Saturday's game will be the fourth WNBA game played outside the U.S. In the morning, dozens of local youth will take part in an all-women-led basketball skills clinic.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available and start at $26.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.