'Commander' Mattu helps lead Canada to FIBA hoop semis
Anmol Mattu is used to handling pressure. As a diminutive five-foot-three point guard, she has to be.
But forced to regularly go head-to-head against often much bigger opponents has only made the Steveston-London basketball star tougher and more determined. Coupled with her own immense skill and leadership, it's earned her a role on the Canadian Cadette Women's National Basketball Team which is competing this week in Merida, Mexico for the FIBA America under-16 championship.
Mattu is making the most of the opportunity, helping Canada finish first in Group A and earn a semifinal date with Brazil on Friday. The championship game goes Saturday.
Able to help break down the tough press teams are throwing at Canada, which is 3-0, Mattu said, "We want to win as a team and our focus is on winning the gold together."
In Mexico to watch his daughter play, Rick Mattu said Anmol is averaging 18 to 20 minutes a game and working hard. One Brazilian mother described her as "the commander of the Canadian team."
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.