Bell-Haynes Shines in 2027 FIBA WC Qualifier Win Against Bahamas

Summary:

• Canada edged the Bahamas 94-88 in their 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying matchup at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
• Trae Bell-Haynes delivered 17 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds in a rare home appearance.
• Coach Nathaniel Mitchell said he liked the group’s toughness and composure against a Bahamas team that kept pushing.

Trae Bell-Haynes made the most of a rare occasion to play at home on Monday night, in front of friends and family, and he turned in a strong performance. 

The Toronto native finished with 17 points, 10 assists and five rebounds, guiding the Canadian men’s team to a 94-88 win over the Bahamas in their 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying game at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

“The First Time Playing in Toronto Since High School”

It was a meaningful night for him and for a few teammates who hadn’t played in Toronto since they were teenagers.  30-year-old Trae Bell-Haynes said,

For a few of us, this is the first time playing in Toronto since high school. To play in front of our parents and families is a big deal, and getting the win makes it even sweeter. We’re always grateful to wear Canada, but doing it at home means a lot.

Thomas Scrubb added 16 points, and Kyle Wiltjer chipped in 15 points along with five rebounds and four assists. The Bahamas leaned heavily on Garvin Clarke, who put up 20 points and 13 assists to keep the visitors in it.

Coach Mitchell on the Bahamas: “A Real Scrappy Team”

Canada led most of the way, but the Bahamas refused to let the game slip. Head coach Nathaniel Mitchell expected nothing less. 

A real scrappy team. They made some changes and were good off the bounce, so we had to adjust defensively. They hung around all game, but I liked how our group stayed tough and controlled the game regardless of the score.

The win completed a two-game sweep after Canada’s dominant 111–75 victory in Nassau last Friday, giving the team a strong start to group play in the Americas bracket. This qualifying window is the first of six that will roll out over the next 15 months across the four FIBA regions.

Teams move through a mix of home and road games in February and July, and the top three in each group advance. All results carry into the next stage, where six more games in 2026 and 2027 will determine who reaches the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Doha.

Canada currently sits at the top of Group B, which also includes Puerto Rico and Jamaica. After earning its first World Cup bronze medal in 2023 with a win over the United States, expectations around this group continue to rise.

Mitchell wasn’t shy about describing the identity he would like for his players to embrace.

Toughness. People should be scared to play Canada. You should be annoyed when you’re playing us, offensively, defensively. Annoying is big for us, and part of that is being tough