Trae Bell-Haynes delivered an impressive performance in front of his hometown crowd on Monday. The Canadian men’s basketball team secured a 94-88 victory over the Bahamas during the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying match held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, with Bell-Haynes contributing 17 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds.
Expressing his excitement, the 30-year-old Toronto native remarked, “For a few of us, this is the first time playing in Toronto since high school. To play in front of our parents and families is a big deal, and getting the win makes it even sweeter. We’re always grateful to wear Canada, but doing it at home means a lot.”
In addition to Bell-Haynes’ standout performance, Thomas Scrubb scored 16 points, and Kyle Wiltjer added 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists for the Canadian team. On the opposing side, Garvin Clarke led the Bahamas with 20 points and 13 assists.
Canada’s head coach, Nathaniel Mitchell, commended the Bahamas as a “real scrappy team” and highlighted the need for defensive adjustments due to their opponents’ strong offensive play. Despite the Bahamas keeping pace throughout the game, Mitchell praised his team’s resilience and control over the match.
This victory followed Canada’s previous 111-75 win against the Bahamas in Nassau last Friday, completing a successful two-game series in the first qualifying window of the Americas bracket. The ongoing qualification process consists of six windows over 15 months across four FIBA regions, with teams engaging in home-and-away fixtures in February and July.
Leading Group B alongside Puerto Rico and Jamaica, Canada aims to secure a spot in the 2027 World Cup in Doha. Mitchell emphasized the team’s identity, stating, “Toughness. People should be scared to play Canada. You should be annoyed when you’re playing us — offensively, defensively. Annoying is big for us, and part of that is being tough.”