South Carolina sophomore guard Agot Makeer has helped Canada advance to the semifinals of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament.
The Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament is for countries that did not qualify for this year’s World Cup in Berlin. The winner of the tournament, held in Guadalajara, Mexico, qualifies for the 2028 Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, and Brazil have advanced to the semifinals.
Makeer is averaging 5.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 11.5 minutes per game. In the opening 72-57 win over Senegal, Makeer had four points and five rebounds and led Canada with a plus-18 plus/minus. She added nine points and two steals in the 85-38 win over the Philippines, followed by four points and two rebounds in a 70-64 win over host Mexico.
Friday is a rest day. On Saturday, Canada and New Zealand face off in the first semifinal, followed by Mexico and Brazil. The winners of the two games meet on Sunday with a bid to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament on the line.
Ayla McDowell, Makeer’s fellow Gamecock sophomore, played for the Brazilian senior national team at the FIBA South American Qualifier. She averaged 17.8 minutes, 4.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, and helped Brazil claim the bronze medal, good enough to qualify for next year’s AmeriCup Tournament. However, she is not playing in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament.
Makeer was one of 17 players invited to Canada’s first training camp this summer, which ran from June 20-28. She did not attend Canada’s second camp, which ended with an exhibition game against UCLA.
Despite missing the second camp, Makeer is one of 12 players invited to play in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament. Canada’s senior national team is undergoing a youth movement with this tournament. College players like Makeer, BYU’s Delaney Gibb, and Washington’s Avery Howell have replaced veterans like Shay Colley, Natalie Achonwa, and former Gamecock Laeticia Amihere (who is busy with the WNBA right now anyway).
Canada is coached by Nell Fortner and assistants Christie Sides and Noelle Quinn. Fortner, the former Auburn and Georgia Tech coach, also coached USA Basketball to the 2000 Olympic gold medal.
Makeer averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists as a freshman. She had a breakout run in the NCAA Tournament, when she averaged 14.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 steals while shooting 46.2% from three. Makeer was named to the All-Region team for her performance.
Makeer has dual citizenship from the United States and Canada, but competes internationally for Canada. She played in the 2024 U17 World Cup and 2025 U19 World Cup.
It was at the U17 World Cup that Makeer first made a name for herself as a top prospect. She averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists and was named to the All-Star Five for leading Canada to a silver medal.
Last summer, she helped lead Canada to a fourth-place finish. She came within inches of the bronze medal, though, grabbing a steal in the final second but missing the game-winning three as time expired.
Makeer’s participation in the Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament is just another entry in this summer’s busy list of international competitions for the Gamecocks.
Most recently, McDowell appeared in the South American Qualifier. Before that, junior Joyce Edwards played for the USA Basketball 3X3 senior national team this summer. She played in two tournaments in May and won a gold medal at the 3X3 World Cup in June.
Alicia Tournebize has been invited to France’s World Cup training camp, which began on August 19 in Paris. If she makes the national team, she would play in the World Cup in Berlin in September (Canada and Brazil are not in this year’s World Cup).
Additionally, former Gamecocks Aliyah Boston and A’ja Wilson were named to the USA Basketball World Cup team.
The Group stage runs from August 17 to August 20. After a rest day, the top two teams in each group advance to the knockout rounds. Canada is in Group B with Senegal, Philippines, and host Mexico.
Tournament Schedule
Saturday, August 22 (Semifinals) – Canada vs New Zealand (7:30 ET), Mexico vs Brazil (10:30 ET)
Sunday, August 23 (Final) – Semifinal winners play (7:30 ET)
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