Pan American Games Day 2: Hamblin’s Growth Continues With Team Canada
August 07, 2019 | Women's Basketball
Canadian Hammer is helping lead Canada at Pan America Games
LIMA, Peru – From the small town of Houston, British Columbia to Corvallis to Lima, Peru, where isn't much of the world Ruth Hamblin hasn't experienced. Her travels with basketball have brought her to Europe, Asia and South America, with numerous stops throughout the United States and Canada as well.
Tuesday evening she tipped off the latest experience in her global journey, as Canada competed in its first contest of the Pan American Games. Hamblin, who is joined on the National Team by former Beaver teammate Jamie (Weisner) Scott, posted a double-double in the contest.
With deep roots in the Great White North, it's always an honor for the Canadian Hammer to represent her country in international competition.
"Putting on that Canada uniform never gets old," Hamblin said. "Before every game when they play the national anthem, it's always a special moment – it's almost an out-of-body experience. To be playing basketball at the highest level for the country that I was born and raised in never gets old."
Hamblin hopes that this week in Lima will be the latest step in a journey that ultimately lands her a spot on the Canadian Olympic squad in 2020. The center has now represented Canada in the World University Games, the FIBA Americup, the Pan American Games and numerous other tournaments and exhibition games throughout the world.
"Ruth is incredible," said Canada Pan American Games coach Steve Baur. "When she got to Oregon State she was a pretty raw talent, so to see her transformation during her days as a Beaver and watching that continue now has been fun. The first step for her was becoming a defensive force, and then she was able to develop her offensive skill as well. It's a testament to some of the coaches she's had."
Hamblin capped off her Oregon State career with a Final Four appearance, as well as back-to-back Pac-12 titles. She was selected in the second round of the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings in 2016, and was on the training camp roster for the Las Vegas Aces this spring.
"The perseverance that I learned at Oregon State was huge," Hamblin said. "I came in so raw, and I've carried the lessons I learned there for the rest of my professional career."
Her time as a Beaver provided Hamblin an opportunity to shine beyond the basketball court as well, as she worked with classmates to build and launch a rocket as part of her studies as a mechanical engineering major. For her impressive efforts, Hamblin was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American twice, and was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award.
Hamblin's focus will turn to tomorrow, when Canada faces Puerto Rico, a squad that features former teammate Ali Gibson. While the two will be foes on Thursday, the bonds Oregon State players form during their time with the team last forever.
"It's the relationships and the friendships that we all made there," Hamblin said. "We're all like sisters: we all go off and do our own thing, but when you get together it's like nothing ever changed. I think that is so special."
Recapping Day 2 at the Pan American Games
Canada earned a resounding 90-64 win over Paraguay to move to 1-1 at the Pan American Games. Jamie Scott put up 12 points in the contest, while Ruth Hamblin pulled down 10 rebounds. Scott was particularly effective in the third quarter, when Canada was able to create some separation to pull away for the victory.
The USA moved to 2-0 at the event and clinched a berth in the semifinals with a dominant 103-55 win over the Virgin Islands. Mikayla Pivec earned a start for the second-straight game, scoring six points on 2-for-3 shooting from the floor.
Puerto Rico lost a hard-fought matchup with Brazil 64-58. Ali Gibson tallied four points and four rebounds.
Remaining Schedule of Oregon State Players at Pan-American Games
All times listed PT
Thursday – Aug. 8
11:30 a.m. – USA (Pivec) vs. Colombia
7 p.m. – Canada (Scott/Hamblin) vs. Puerto Rico (Gibson)
Friday – Aug. 9
8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. - 7th-place/5th-place/Semifinals
Saturday – Aug. 10
4 p.m. – Bronze Medal Game
7 p.m. – Gold Medal Game
Season tickets for the 2019-20 season at on sale now, and can be purchased here or by calling 541-737-2050.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
Tuesday evening she tipped off the latest experience in her global journey, as Canada competed in its first contest of the Pan American Games. Hamblin, who is joined on the National Team by former Beaver teammate Jamie (Weisner) Scott, posted a double-double in the contest.
With deep roots in the Great White North, it's always an honor for the Canadian Hammer to represent her country in international competition.
"Putting on that Canada uniform never gets old," Hamblin said. "Before every game when they play the national anthem, it's always a special moment – it's almost an out-of-body experience. To be playing basketball at the highest level for the country that I was born and raised in never gets old."
Hamblin hopes that this week in Lima will be the latest step in a journey that ultimately lands her a spot on the Canadian Olympic squad in 2020. The center has now represented Canada in the World University Games, the FIBA Americup, the Pan American Games and numerous other tournaments and exhibition games throughout the world.
"Ruth is incredible," said Canada Pan American Games coach Steve Baur. "When she got to Oregon State she was a pretty raw talent, so to see her transformation during her days as a Beaver and watching that continue now has been fun. The first step for her was becoming a defensive force, and then she was able to develop her offensive skill as well. It's a testament to some of the coaches she's had."
After a big win over Paraguay this morning, check out what @coachbaur had to say about Beaver alums @jamiegracescott and @ruthhamblin!#GoBeavs @CanBball pic.twitter.com/6yEG8PF8OR
— Oregon State WBB (@BeaverWBB) August 7, 2019
Hamblin capped off her Oregon State career with a Final Four appearance, as well as back-to-back Pac-12 titles. She was selected in the second round of the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings in 2016, and was on the training camp roster for the Las Vegas Aces this spring.
"The perseverance that I learned at Oregon State was huge," Hamblin said. "I came in so raw, and I've carried the lessons I learned there for the rest of my professional career."
Her time as a Beaver provided Hamblin an opportunity to shine beyond the basketball court as well, as she worked with classmates to build and launch a rocket as part of her studies as a mechanical engineering major. For her impressive efforts, Hamblin was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American twice, and was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award.
Hamblin's focus will turn to tomorrow, when Canada faces Puerto Rico, a squad that features former teammate Ali Gibson. While the two will be foes on Thursday, the bonds Oregon State players form during their time with the team last forever.
"It's the relationships and the friendships that we all made there," Hamblin said. "We're all like sisters: we all go off and do our own thing, but when you get together it's like nothing ever changed. I think that is so special."
"I feel like I really grew up at Oregon State"
— Oregon State WBB (@BeaverWBB) August 7, 2019
- @jamiegracescott
"It's the relationships and the friendships that we all made there."
- @ruthhamblin
Playing now for Canada, take a look at what these two Beaver alums had to say about their time at Oregon State!#GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/I0JhfV7oYv
Recapping Day 2 at the Pan American Games
Canada earned a resounding 90-64 win over Paraguay to move to 1-1 at the Pan American Games. Jamie Scott put up 12 points in the contest, while Ruth Hamblin pulled down 10 rebounds. Scott was particularly effective in the third quarter, when Canada was able to create some separation to pull away for the victory.
The USA moved to 2-0 at the event and clinched a berth in the semifinals with a dominant 103-55 win over the Virgin Islands. Mikayla Pivec earned a start for the second-straight game, scoring six points on 2-for-3 shooting from the floor.
Puerto Rico lost a hard-fought matchup with Brazil 64-58. Ali Gibson tallied four points and four rebounds.
Remaining Schedule of Oregon State Players at Pan-American Games
All times listed PT
Thursday – Aug. 8
11:30 a.m. – USA (Pivec) vs. Colombia
7 p.m. – Canada (Scott/Hamblin) vs. Puerto Rico (Gibson)
Friday – Aug. 9
8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. - 7th-place/5th-place/Semifinals
Saturday – Aug. 10
4 p.m. – Bronze Medal Game
7 p.m. – Gold Medal Game
Season tickets for the 2019-20 season at on sale now, and can be purchased here or by calling 541-737-2050.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
Players Mentioned
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