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Q&A: Canadian Basketball Star Natalie Achonwa Discusses Her Final Olympics
Earlier this week in Lille, France, Natalie Achonwa accomplished a milestone previously unseen in Canadian basketball history.
Hailing from Guelph, Ontario, she became the first Canadian athlete, regardless of gender, to participate in four Olympic Games, a journey that began when she was a teenager at the 2012 London Olympics.
At 31, Achonwa is likely to conclude her international basketball career once these games are finished.
It remains uncertain how long Canada will stay in the tournament. Currently sitting at 0-2 in Group B, a victory against Nigeria this Sunday, along with favorable outcomes in other matches, could potentially propel Canada – and Achonwa – to the quarterfinals for the third occasion since 2012.
However, a defeat or an unfavorable sequence of results may mark the end of her nine-year tenure in international basketball.
In the context of Canadian sports, her contributions to the game are unmatched. Achonwa holds the record for the most assists by any female Canadian Olympian, as well as the most games played and ranks third in rebounds.
Moreover, she has embraced motherhood with her son, Maverick, while actively advocating for equal treatment for female national team members and playing a significant part in WNBA collective bargaining. Achonwa has left an indelible mark and is set to create a legacy that will resonate long after Sunday, irrespective of the match outcome against Nigeria.
Prior to the Olympics, I had the opportunity to discuss her Olympic experiences with her. Our conversation has been condensed for brevity and clarity:
Sportsnet: Can you share your experience from the first senior women’s national team camp and what made you emotional?
NA: Recently, during dinner, I shared some thoughts with Cassandre Prosper, a first-time Olympian. She inquired about our past experiences, and it’s remarkable to think that we used to be the team that other nations would invite for their preparation matches. Now, we’re heading to our fourth consecutive Olympics with the expectation that we’ll be competing at world championships each time. Witnessing this transformation has been incredible.
SN: You’ve also observed significant developments within the organization off the court, haven't you?
I feel I belong to a transitional generation. I have memories of a time when we were exceptionally appreciative of everything we received, to an extreme degree. We considered ourselves fortunate to play basketball, to participate in a 40-day, 40-night training camp, and to engage in exhibition matches while traveling the globe, regardless of the travel conditions or accommodations. Fast forward to our recent training camp in Victoria, where we enjoyed staying at a resort by the water and had catered meals, not to mention flying first class for international trips. These investments in our program, sport, and team as athletes have truly made a difference, and it's inspiring to witness this growth.
On the flip side, being part of this transitional generation also means I’m never fully satisfied. I appreciate the continued support from Canada Basketball, yet I often find myself asking Mike Bartlett, our CEO, ‘What more can we do? How can we keep pushing the boundaries?’
I believe he understands that I’m committed for life. While I have taken on the role of an athlete and team member, Mike knows our discussions won’t end here. It’s not only about me; I think of individuals like Syla Swords, Cass, Yvonne Ejim, and those who will come after us. I constantly ponder how we can streamline their journey, allowing them to focus on excelling as elite athletes without the burden of minor details.
SN: Do you have any keepsakes or cherished moments from your first three Olympic experiences?
To be honest, when I reflect on each Games, most of my recollections revolve around the relationships with my teammates rather than the competitive aspects. I could recall a specific moment if prompted, but my initial memories are primarily about the time I shared with them.
SN: How do you feel when I mention London?
[Laughs] I might get into some trouble for this. When I think of London, I remember a mall located right next to the athletes' village. My teammates and I used to visit a Häagen-Dazs store there, enjoying small ice cream cups as we strolled around the mall.
SN: What about Rio?
The Rio Games were significant for my family, especially since they weren't able to come to London. After the events, we were walking along the beach, having just left their Airbnb. My brother asked me, “If you had the chance to do it all again, would you change anything?” I replied, “No, because the journey is part of who I am, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
SN: And Tokyo?
NA: That was a challenging experience [Canada had high expectations for a medal but ended up with a 1-2 record in the group stage and didn’t progress to the quarterfinals]. After the results revealed we wouldn't be advancing, we still had some practice sessions left. We went to the gym, dressed in the silliest outfits, and played games while having fun. I even have recordings of Kia [Nurse] performing an entire number by Beyoncé. Despite the difficulties of that Games with the COVID situation, we focused on enjoying each other’s company and having a good time.
SN: Was that tournament perhaps the one with the highest expectations?
NA: The most disheartening aspect was the COVID break. If we had maintained the momentum that allowed us to qualify [with Canada remaining undefeated in qualifiers] directly into Tokyo [without the additional year postponement], I believe the outcome would have been different. I’ve mentioned before that in London, we were content just to be there, as we were the last team to qualify. However, by the time we reached Rio [where Canada lost to France in the quarterfinals], my mindset shifted to ‘We’ve worked hard to be here, we truly deserve this’. Unfortunately, in Tokyo, I think we stifled our own aspirations a bit; we had a ‘medal or nothing’ mentality, and I feel we were too tight-fisted about it.
SN: This team has a wealth of experience, yet also includes some young athletes participating in their first Olympics – for instance, Syla Swords has just completed high school, while Cassandre Prosper and Yvonne Ejim are still pursuing their university degrees. When you observe them and reflect on your own teenage years on the national team, do you feel you have accomplished your goals? Did you ever foresee being part of the national team for 16 years?
If someone were to have forecasted my career and the path I’ve traveled back then, I’d ask them to share some lottery numbers because I simply couldn't imagine this future. I never anticipated being in the WNBA for nine years, participating in four Olympic Games, getting drafted, going to four Final Fours [with Notre Dame], or playing in various countries across the globe. None of this was something I could have foreseen.
Additionally, when you mentioned the training camp when I was 16, it prompted me to think that I should reach out to Allison McNeil to find out her perspective from that time, because back then, I was like, 'Sis, what are you seeing that I’m not?’ Having her faith and belief in me during that period is a significant reason for my presence here today. Many individuals have supported me throughout this journey, and they all deserve recognition. Honestly, I could never have imagined that this path would lead me here. It was beyond my wildest dreams, but I dedicated myself to hard work and allowed God to take care of the rest. I couldn’t have possibly envisioned in a million years that I would end up where I am now.
SN: Have you given much thought to this being your final Olympics?
Not really. Since becoming a parent to Mav, I’ve learned to concentrate on being in the moment. Mav evolves daily, presenting new experiences, which serves as a reminder to stay present. Once I resumed playing, my focus shifted in that direction as well. People have been prompting me to look back on my career, but I’ve been avoiding that topic because it’s not finished yet, right? I still have games ahead.
When those games conclude, then I can share what it feels like to retire, but for now, I'm still in the game. I continue to don the Canadian jersey and will passionately sing the anthem until the final tip-off. I’ve always valued this opportunity and don’t intend to take it lightly as the end approaches. Each time I put on that jersey is a privilege—whether it’s for practice, wearing a zip-up through the airport, or when someone inquires if I’m on the national team. I will cherish that privilege until the very last day I can.