TORONTO - Basketball took center stage this summer in Canada, where the national teams played in front of big home crowds at the Pan American Games.

Toronto staged the event and Canada's women won the title while the men finished second to Brazil.

The FIBA Americas Women's Championship was held in Edmonton, Alberta, and once again, fans were able to watch their Canada squad confirm its status as an emerging power in international basketball by marching to the title.

Through FIBA's new system of competition which comes into effect in two years from now, Canadians will have the opportunity to see their men's team compete in important games on home soil.

Over a four-year cycle from 2017 through 2021, national teams will play regular home and away games to qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2021 FIBA Continental Cups.

"It's very exciting to be able to play meaningful games at home," said Canada Basketball President and Chief Executive Officer Michele O'Keefe.

"2015 was so amazing for the Pan Am Games and our women's FIBA Americas Championship that you really see the enthusiasm of the fans and how much they pay attention to your team when they are playing at home."

The new system of competition and the home games will represent an opportunity for Canada Basketball.

"Canada's going to have some challenges that we're working through but we're excited about the evolution that can take place for basketball in our country," O'Keefe said.

Right now, Canada have a squad of players that will be formidable at one of next year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).

They earned the right to participate after reaching the Semi-Finals of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

While that was a terrific squad, there are many other Canadians that will contend for spots on future rosters.

One is point guard Kevin Pangos who is off to a promising start in his professional career with Spanish club Gran Canaria.

"Once they graduate, if they're not in the NBA, they'll play in Europe or Australia or wherever they end up," O'Keefe said.

"Those athletes will have a great opportunity to show themselves and represent their country."

The windows to play qualifiers will bring national teams front and center.

"What it will allow us to do is build a profile of these other athletes and make our pool of athletes who are seen as representatives of the national team have a higher profile," O'Keefe said.

"I think with these extra games at home, it can't help but promote our marketing endeavors and our partnerships with our sponsors to see how deep our talent pool is."

FIBA