Swords Named MVP of FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament
8/24/2026 9:33:00 AM | Women's Basketball
GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Syla Swords of the University of Michigan women's basketball team was named the MVP of the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament after helping Canada clinch the only available spot in the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2028.
Swords averaged 14.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game across Canada's five victories. She scored in double figures in all five games and shot 45.0 percent from three-point range, averaging 3.6 triples per game. Swords just missed on a double-double in Canada's group win over Mexico, turning in 17 points and nine rebounds in 36 minutes of action.
"When we started training camp at the beginning of June, we wanted to go 5-0," Swords said. "We didn't just want to win the tournament; we wanted to go undefeated. We took it one game at a time, and I think we did it in great fashion."
With an 83-53 win over host Mexico in the championship game, Canada is one step closer to qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. By winning the tournament, Canada advances to one of the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in February 2028, the final stage of qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
