Women’s coach Lapena and Canada Basketball have mutually parted ways

Two months after the program went winless in the group round of the Paris Olympics, Canada Basketball and women’s national team head coach Victor Lapena have mutually decided to part ways, the national governing body announced on Monday.

Lapena, who was hired in January 2022 and signed a contract extension in May to stay with the program through the FIBA Women’s World Cup in 2026, guided the squad to a 17-10 record in FIBA events.

With the understanding that he would be available for all national team commitments, the extension gave the Spaniard the opportunity to seek professional head coaching opportunities.

Lapena was hired by Turkish club Cukurova Basketbol Kulubu earlier this year after consulting with Canada Basketball.

“Following the Olympics, it was decided that it would be best for him to focus his efforts on his professional team as they compete in the EuroLeague Women and other national competitions,” Canada Basketball stated in a press release.

In addition, the governing body announced that it will hire a head coach as part of its evaluation of its training and competition schedule for the upcoming four-year cycle, which will take place in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Under Lapena’s leadership, the national team placed fourth in the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 and took home a bronze medal from the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2023.

After a 0-3 record in the group stage, when they were defeated by France, Australia, and Nigeria, Canada placed eleventh at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.