The Games takes place Oct. 31-Nov. 9, 2025
OTTAWA, ONT. — Wheelchair Basketball Canada is proud to announce the 16 athletes who will represent Team Canada in wheelchair basketball at the 2025 Youth Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, from Oct. 31-Nov.9, 2025.
Four athletes will represent Team Canada in the Women’s 3×3 Division, including returning players Elise Froese, Kayla MacKinnon and Mercy Nyakundi, who previously competed at the 2023 IWBF Women’s Under-25 World Championship.
“I’m really excited to work with this group of athletes,” said Team Canada Lead and Women’s 3×3 Head Coach Jesse McNalley. “Having coached many of them since the 2023 Women’s Under-25 World Championships, I’ve seen firsthand how unique and hardworking this group is.”
Team Canada captured silver in the Women’s 3×3 competition at the 2013 Youth Parapan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
On the men’s side, 12 athletes have been selected for the upcoming Games in Santiago, including 10 players who recently represented Canada at the IWBF Men’s Under-23 World Championship in São Paulo, Brazil, this past June.
“Our men’s team is thrilled to represent Canada at the 2025 Youth Parapan American Games in
Santiago,” said Men’s Head Coach Darrell Nordell. “Building on the experience gained at the Under-23 World Championships, this group is eager to compete and make its mark on the international stage.”
Approximately 3,800 athletes between the ages of 12 and 23 from 20 countries will compete in 12 sports at the 2025 Youth Parapan American Games.
The 2025 Games will mark 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.
2025 Youth Parapan American Games Rosters
Women’s 3×3
6 — Elise Froese—Victoria, B.C.
4 — Rosie Long—Oakville, Ont.
8 — Kayla MacKinnon—Dartmouth, N.S.
5 — Mercy Nyakundi—Hamilton, Ont.
Men’s 5-on-5
12 — Dylan Cannan—Innisfree, Alta.
14 — Nasif Chowdhury—Toronto, Ont.
15 — Lucas Floer—Saskatoon, Sask.
7 — Cameron Gelowitz—Kamloops, B.C.
11 — Brandon Louie—Don Mills, Ont.
5 — Keaton MacEachern—Chilliwack, B.C.
10 — Simon Mazi-Keep—Niagara Falls, Ont.
6 — Thai Milton—Toronto, Ont.
4 — Ibrahim Odza—Toronto, Ont.
9 — Bernard Rosello—Winnipeg, Man.
13 — Jeffer Ward—Vancouver, B.C.
8 — Judah Websdale—Spruce Grove, Alta.
Staff
Jesse McNalley (Toronto, Ont.)—Team Canada Lead/Head Coach Women’s 3X3
Darrell Nordell (Edmonton, Alta.)—Head Coach
Nathan Cory (London, Ont.)—Physiotherapist
Danielle de Laat (Hamilton, Ont.)—Physiotherapist
Hana Parkin (St. Catharines, Ont.)—Strength and Conditioning Coach
Jared Sajtos (Saskatoon, Sask.)—Assistant Coach
Emma Shimizu (Ottawa, Ont.)—Team Canada Manager
Prior to being officially named to the Canadian Youth Parapan Am Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The approved final roster will be announced closer to the start of the Games.