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SFU hoop star earns Team Canada tryout

Simon Fraser University women's basketball forward Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe will be among the 29 players at tryouts for the Canadian senior women's national team this weekend.

Simon Fraser University women's basketball forward Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe will be among the 29 players at tryouts for the Canadian senior women's national team this weekend.

The tryouts start Friday at McMaster University's David Braley Athletic Centre and continue through to Sunday, May 19.

Raincock-Ekunwe will compete for a spot on a team that is coming off a successful season having qualified for the London Olympic Games with a thrilling 71-63 victory over Japan at the FIBA World Olympic qualifying tournament. The victory paved the way for Team Canada's return to the Olympic stage following a 12-year absence.

Raincock-Ekunwe heads to the tryout camp after a senior season with the Clan where she was one of the top players in NCAA Division II basketball.

Last season, Raincock-Ekunwe averaged 16.8 points per game and 12.4 rebounds per outing with a shooting percentage of 0.653, the highest in Div. II. She also set numerous Great Northwest Athletic Conference records, including shattering the career double-double mark as a senior.

Despite only playing in the Great Northwest conference for three seasons, she recorded 63 career double-doubles, compared to the previous record of 48.

SFU also became the first women's basketball program from Canada to reach the NCAA Tournament.

Raincock-Ekunwe's performance during her senior season also earned her a spot on several All-American teams.

After the camp, Canada will play the Czech Republic in an exhibition series.