Canada’s basketball story is one of ambition, turbulence, and transformation. From a sport once on the margins of national attention to a rising powerhouse producing global stars, the journey has been marked by triumphs, missteps, and deep structural challenges. Toronto-based journalist Oren Weisfeld’s new book, “The Golden Generation: How Canada Became a Basketball Powerhouse,” provides a vivid account of this evolution, highlighting pivotal moments, behind-the-scenes struggles, and the individuals who shaped the game’s growth in Canada.
The 1994 FIBA World Championship: Canada’s Moment on the Global Stage
Originally slated for Belgrade, Serbia, the 1994 FIBA World Championship faced a last-minute relocation after civil unrest in Yugoslavia. In 1991, a violent civil war forced the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to reopen the bidding process for a new host. Boris Stankovic, then head of FIBA, reached out to Canadian businessman John Bitove, asking if Canada could step in.
Securing the NBA Connection
Bitove recognized that hosting the championship would only make sense if NBA players were allowed to participate. Professional athletes brought not only elite talent but also massive marketing potential, especially following the global success of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where the U.S. Dream Team—featuring Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley—dominated both on and off the court.
To secure NBA participation, Bitove called NBA commissioner David Stern, who reportedly told him:
“Listen, young man, I don’t know you, but I do know Canada, and I know Toronto. And the only way we would allow the pros to play in the world championship is if it’s in North America.”
This approval set the stage for Canada to host an 11-day tournament across Toronto’s SkyDome, Maple Leaf Gardens, and Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum. With $13 million raised and unprecedented organizational effort, Canada Basketball broke attendance records, selling 332,334 tickets, including 32,000 to the gold medal game at SkyDome. The event not only broke even financially but also secured 40% of profits for Canada Basketball, helping stabilize an organization on the brink of collapse.
The Birth of the Toronto Raptors
The championship’s success provided a springboard for Bitove to pursue an NBA franchise. In 1993, leveraging the contacts and momentum from hosting the FIBA tournament, he became the owner of Toronto’s first NBA team—the Raptors. Reflecting on the connection, Bitove noted, “Without the ’94 worlds, I wouldn’t have had the NBA team.”
Steve Nash Emerges on the International Stage
For Canadian basketball fans, the tournament also marked the international debut of a future star. At just 20 years old, Steve Nash made his first appearance with Canada’s senior team. In 23 minutes per game, he averaged seven points, three assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Bitove recalled the team’s challenges:
“We spent all of our time trying to get (Canada’s lone NBA player) Rick Fox freed up to play. Lo and behold, Steve Nash stole the show.”
Despite Nash’s emergence, Canada’s performance fell short. The team finished seventh among 16 participants, failing to advance past their group after losses to Russia and Greece. Team USA, led by Shaquille O’Neal, captured the gold medal with dominant victories, underscoring the gap between Canada and the world’s elite at that time.
Mixed Fan Support
While arenas were full, many spectators supported opposing teams rather than Canada. One particularly jarring game against Greece featured more Greek flags than Canadian ones, prompting a public rebuke from Hockey Night in Canada commentator Don Cherry. Nash reflected on the scene:
“Back then basketball was a little bit more of a niche sport. Fans from those nations were coming out to support the countries against Canada.”
Toronto, Montreal, and Hamilton’s diverse immigrant populations shaped this dynamic, demonstrating intense patriotism that often sidelined homegrown Canadian support. Doug Smith, a Toronto Star reporter, described the event as “one of the most embarrassing sports events I’ve ever been at.”
A National Team in Transition
Before the arrival of the Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995, Canadian basketball lacked mainstream recognition. Former Team Canada captain Leo Rautins recalled, “Nobody ever saw us play.” Stars like Jay Triano and Eli Pasquale were celebrated abroad but largely ignored at home, highlighting the disconnect between international and domestic recognition.
Despite having notable talent—NBA player Rick Fox, overseas pros like Greg Wiltjer, Martin Keane, Joey Vickery, Dwight Walton, and the young Nash—Canada struggled against top-tier opponents. The team’s slow, methodical style, focused on discipline over flair, was less appealing to spectators accustomed to fast-paced, high-scoring games.
Ken Shields’ Centralized Program
Head coach Ken Shields, who assumed leadership in 1989, centralized training in Victoria, British Columbia, utilizing his connections to secure year-round facilities, apparel sponsorships, and accommodations. His approach focused on developing amateur athletes from U Sports programs, especially University of Victoria players, emphasizing fitness, execution, and team cohesion over speed or individual skill.
Assistant coach Eddie Pomykala candidly noted:
“Let’s be honest: the national teams were white teams.”
While Shields’ methods produced some professional-level talent and national team selections, the balance of basketball power in Canada was shifting eastward, toward multicultural cities like Toronto and Montreal. These urban centers became dominant in high school and provincial competitions, regularly supplying athletes to the NCAA and professional leagues for the first time in Canadian history.
Allegations of Racism and Structural Barriers
The composition of national teams reflected broader issues within Canadian basketball. With few Black players on rosters, systemic biases and limited pathways for diverse athletes were evident. While Shields’ program succeeded in producing skilled, disciplined athletes, it often overlooked emerging talent from metropolitan, immigrant-rich regions.
This tension underscored ongoing challenges in Canadian basketball: integrating talent equitably, cultivating fan engagement, and building a program capable of competing internationally while reflecting the nation’s diversity.
Conclusion: Foundations for the Future
The 1994 FIBA World Championship marked a pivotal moment for Canadian basketball, catalyzing the growth of professional infrastructure, international exposure, and future stars like Steve Nash. Yet it also revealed structural weaknesses, limited domestic support, and racial disparities that would shape the sport’s evolution.
Weisfeld’s “The Golden Generation” captures this complexity, detailing a period when Canada began its transformation from an underappreciated basketball nation to a rising global presence, laying the groundwork for the success and inclusivity the country now seeks to achieve in the sport.
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