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ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell women’s basketball associate head coach Courtnay Pilypaitis helped guide the Canadian U18 women’s national team to a silver medal at the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup, serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada last month in Irapuato, Mexico.
Canada rolled through group play, defeating Puerto Rico 104-40, the Dominican Republic 96-46 and Venezuela 104-63. The team followed with a 64-52 semifinal win over Argentina before falling to the United States, 90-72, in the championship game on June 15. The silver medal marked the eighth in event history for Canada.
Canada’s Savannah Swords was named to the tournament’s All-Star Five.
“We’re incredibly proud of Courtnay’s opportunity to represent Team Canada this summer,” said Emily Garner, Cornell women’s basketball head coach. “It’s a testament to the respect she’s earned as a coach and leader. Experiences like this not only reflect the caliber of our staff but also bring invaluable international perspective back to our program and our student-athletes.”
Pilypaitis, who enters her second season at Cornell in 2026-27, called the opportunity a career highlight.
“Coaching Team Canada this summer was an incredible honor and one of the most rewarding experiences of my coaching career,” Pilypaitis said. “Having the opportunity to represent my country while also representing Cornell on the international stage was truly special. Competing alongside and against some of the best talent in the world reinforced the values of excellence, growth and teamwork that define both Canada Basketball and Cornell.”
Pilypaitis’ ties to Team Canada date back more than a decade as a player. She was a member of Canada’s 2012 Olympic team in London, helping the program reach the quarterfinals for the first time in its history en route to an eighth-place finish. In 2013, she helped Canada to a silver medal at the FIBA Americas Championship for Women in Xalapa, Mexico, averaging 3.2 points per game. Canada opened that tournament with a 53-40 win over Cuba in preliminary play before falling to Cuba, 79-71, in the championship game. In all, Pilypaitis spent seven years with Team Canada, competing in the 2012 Olympics and on multiple world championship rosters.