Odza scores 27 as Canada rallies past Argentina 61-54
OTTAWA, ONT. – Team Canada held off a late push from Argentina to secure a 61–54 victory and claim gold in the men’s 5-on-5 tournament on Friday at the 2025 Youth Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
Ibrahim Odza led the way with a game-high 27 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Nasif Chowdhury delivered 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 10 rebounds.
Brandon Louie recorded eight points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists as Canada controlled the tempo despite Argentina’s late surge.
“As soon as we changed our offence, how we wanted to be positioned on the floor, and adjusted a few spots for the guys, we got the looks we needed,” explained head coach Darrell Nordell.
Defensive discipline and strong rebounding down the stretch helped Team Canada secure the victory. Canada dominated the glass with 39 rebounds and generated 17 points off turnovers.
“We discussed before the game that some of the guys who don’t get as many touches would benefit if they capitalized on them, as it would help our offence a lot,” Nordell said. “Thai Milton had a fantastic game and played most of the fourth quarter with four fouls.
“This group of guys is so tight both on and off the court. I’m really proud of our Next Gen athletes, as they show excellent potential.”
Team Canada took control in the third quarter, outscoring Argentina 25–7 to surge ahead 48–36 at the end of the third quarter.
Led by Odza, who continued his stellar performance with 22 points through three quarters, Canada found its rhythm on both ends of the floor. Odza’s scoring touch, paired with Chowdhury’s efficiency inside, 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, helped Canada push its lead to 12 heading into the fourth.
Defensively, Canada held Argentina to just seven points.
Louie had a game-high nine assists while pulling down 10 rebounds, helping Canada dominate the possession battle.
Team Canada responded in the second quarter, outscoring Argentina 17–10 to trim the deficit to just six at halftime, trailing 29–23.
After a slow start, Odza poured in 11 points in the quarter on his way to 14 first-half points.
Chowdhury added four points and five rebounds, while Louie anchored the glass with six boards and a pair of assists. Cameron Gelowitz provided a lift off the bench with three points.
Team Canada tightened up defensively, forcing eight turnovers and converting them into nine points.
Canada fell behind 19–6 after the opening quarter.
Ozda had three points, while Chowdhury added two. Louie picked up four rebounds and two assists in the opening period.
Full stats from Team Canada’s gold medal victory over Argentina can be found here.
Approximately 3,800 athletes, aged 12 to 23, from 20 countries, are competing in 12 sports at the 2025 Youth Parapan American Games.
The 2025 Games are the sixth edition of the event, which was first held in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, in 2005. Subsequent editions took place in Bogotá (2009), Buenos Aires (2013), and Bogotá (2023), following the postponement of the 2021 Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In women’s action, Team Canada capped off a dominant tournament with a 15–4 win over Colombia in the 3×3 final on Wednesday to secure gold at the 2025 Youth Parapan American Games.
The complete schedule and results from the 2025 Youth Parapan American Games can be found here.