Gage Grassick Leads Team Canada to Gold at 2025 Junior Pan Am Games

Gage Grassick has added another accolade to her burgeoning basketball career by leading Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2025 Junior Pan Am Games held in Paraguay last weekend. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the athlete who has already made waves at the U Sports level.

Grassick, a native of Prince Albert, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to represent Canada on the international stage. “I was just so unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to play,” she said in an interview with HuskieFAN. She noted the pride that comes with wearing the Canadian jersey, stating, “It means something a little bit different and a little bit more.”

The tournament presented unique challenges, especially given the transition to the 3×3 format, which Grassick had limited experience with prior to the event. Despite these hurdles, the team, comprised of players who had not previously played together, managed to gel quickly. Grassick highlighted the exceptional coaching that helped shape the group into a cohesive unit capable of competing at a high level against other nations with more experience in the format.

Reflecting on the experience, Grassick said, “Words can’t even describe winning gold. We were such an incredible group of athletes who went and competed, and our coach was absolutely exceptional.” The team’s success not only showcased their athleticism but also their ability to adapt and learn in a short timeframe.

The competition in Paraguay was a new experience for Grassick, who remarked on the differences she encountered playing basketball in South America. “We had to get used to the different variables pretty quickly,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and camaraderie that developed among the players in their brief time together.

Grassick, who was named the 2025 U Sports Female Athlete of the Year and is a champion with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, found that her competitive mindset and experience in U Sports prepared her well for the international competition. “Thankfully, U Sports is really competitive, and that’s what makes it so special,” she remarked. “It didn’t feel like a huge leap.”

As she prepares to return to the Huskies for her fifth and final year, Grassick is eager to bring her international experience back to her home team. “I’ve had such a great experience with Canada basketball, and I’m really excited to get back training with the Huskies,” she shared. Grassick aims to inspire her teammates by sharing the insights she gained during her time with Team Canada.

Her coach, Lisa Thomaidis, encouraged her to maintain her competitive spirit regardless of the jersey she wore. “Just because my jersey was changing doesn’t mean I should change the way I play,” Grassick recalled, highlighting the lasting impact of Thomaidis on her athletic journey.

As Grassick returns to the Green and White of the Huskies, she does so with a gold medal and a renewed sense of determination. Her journey continues to inspire those around her, proving that hard work and dedication can lead to remarkable achievements on and off the court.