Achonwa Named Canada Basketball U19 Assistant Coach
5/1/2025 11:12:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TORONTO, Ontario -- Natalie Achonwa of the University of Michigan women's basketball program has been named an assistant coach with the Canada Basketball U19 Team, marking her first coaching stint with her country's national team.
"Ever since I was 16 years old, representing Canada has been the greatest honor for me, and I'm thrilled to carry on that tradition from the sideline this summer," Achonwa said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Marlo's staff and help pour into this incredibly talented next generation of Canadian superstars."
After one of the most decorated national team playing careers Canada has ever seen, Achonwa will join head coach Marlo Davis on the sidelines at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup. The FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 will run July 12-20 in Brno, Czech Republic. After a silver medal at the FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup 2024, Canada will share Group B with China, Nigeria and Portugal.
Achonwa wrapped her first season in the maize and blue, helping Michigan to a 23-11 record and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament behind a freshman-heavy lineup that exceeded all preseason expectations.
Achonwa most recently competed at the Olympics for Canada, serving as captain of the national team alongside Syla Swords. It marked the fourth Olympic appearance for Achonwa, the most ever by a Canadian basketball player. She played in 79 career games for the senior national team, the second-most in Canada women's basketball history. She led Canada to the 2015 FIBA AmeriCup championship -- Canada's first gold medal at the event in 20 years -- and the 2015 Pan American Games championship -- Canada's first-ever gold at the PanAm Games. Achonwa ended her national career ranked first in assists in Canada women's basketball history at the Olympic Games with 43.
