Marah Dykstra blocks a shot against Spain in the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.
Dykstra’s Experience with Team Canada Sets Tone for Things to Come
8/2/2023 4:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State sophomore Marah Dykstra has a pretty cool answer for what she did this summer.
Montana State sophomore Marah Dykstra has a pretty cool answer for what she did this summer.
Dykstra, a 6-2 forward on the Bobcat women's basketball team, played for Team Canada at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup in Madrid, Spain, July 15-23. "It was a fantastic experience and I'm hoping to wear the Red and White again in the future."
The native of Vancouver, B.C. navigated a year-long process and survived two rounds of cuts to make the final 12-player roster. Five players returned to the squad from the 2022 U18 Canadian team that competed in the Women's Americas Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina, of which Dykstra was a member.
"Anytime you go through tryouts you have to do something that stands out and makes them want you on the team," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "And Marah obviously showed them everything they needed."
Team Canada cruised through pool play, defeating China 83-62, Czech Republic 66-61, Egypt 100-44, and Brazil 89-45. Dykstra averaged seven rebounds per game, the second-best mark of any athlete in opening round action.
"Marah has always defended and rebounded at a high level," Binford said. "She kept the ball moving and was an important part of Team Canada. Marah knows how to be a champion in her role and makes a team a championship team. Team Canada could always count on her."
The Canadians opened bracket play with an 82-69 win over Mali, before dropping a 77-70 decision to host Spain in the semifinals. Team Canada rebounded with an 80-73 win over France to capture the bronze medal.
For Dykstra, the experience playing in summer tournaments with her national team will pay dividends as she heads into her second season with the Bobcats.
"I think the playing style is so versatile at these World Cup tournaments," she said. "Last year we were familiar with the teams and their pace of game, but the World Cup challenged us to scout for all different ways of playing, which was very interesting. You have to adapt quick."
Dykstra finished World Cup play averaging 23.1 minutes, while chipping in 4.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. She also totaled 13 assists, five steals and four blocks.
"My training with the Cats prepared me both physically and mentally for a high level of competition like this one," Dykstra commented. "At MSU, we do a great job of keeping our minds and bodies in shape throughout the season to be able to compete at a high level on demand.
"This spring we really went after it in our training, and I feel like that competitiveness carried over to my national team experience," she added. "It's also great having such a loud and energetic home crowd in Bozeman, it prepares you to play in any loud gym no matter where you are."
According to Binford, Dykstra made a huge jump in her play during spring drills. Not only will Binford rely on Dykstra's on court abilities, but she is looking for her to become one of the team's leaders.
"Marah has the potential to be a tremendous leader for us," Binford said. "If you've ever met Marah or asked one of her teammates, they would describe her as a leader. She is just that kid. Whether she knows it or not, she leads by example every day. She always says the right things.
"Outside of our senior class, we actually have a fairly young team, Binford added. "For Marah to be an older soul as a sophomore is going to be extremely important for us. She is going to be a major piece of our next steps."
Dykstra agrees with Binford that her added experience outside the cozy confines of Worthington Arena will lead to greater outcomes this winter.
"I think this summer helped me with my consistency and composure under pressure while remaining competitive and physical," Dykstra said. "Any competition where I'm representing my country raises my level of competitiveness every time I step on the floor, and when I'm playing for the Bobcats it's no different. I'm excited to bring that over for my sophomore season in Bozeman."
Last winter, Dykstra played in 29 games, including ten starts. She finished her inaugural campaign averaging 3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as the Bobcats captured a regular season Big Sky title- the program's fourth championship in the past eight years. Dykstra had her best game of the season at Wyoming, recording a team-high 16 points, while hauling down five boards.
Over the past 18 seasons, Binford has built Montana State into one of the most consistent mid-major programs by placing an emphasis on championship culture and leadership.
"To talk about championship culture, you need a leader in the locker room and Marah's somebody we're going to ask to speak up, often, because when she has something to say it's extremely valuable," Binford said. "She is definitely a rising leader in our program and she's going to be an important piece on both the court stuff and with our culture. If you want to see what a champion looks like, it's Marah Dykstra."
Dykstra, a 6-2 forward on the Bobcat women's basketball team, played for Team Canada at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup in Madrid, Spain, July 15-23. "It was a fantastic experience and I'm hoping to wear the Red and White again in the future."
The native of Vancouver, B.C. navigated a year-long process and survived two rounds of cuts to make the final 12-player roster. Five players returned to the squad from the 2022 U18 Canadian team that competed in the Women's Americas Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina, of which Dykstra was a member.
"Anytime you go through tryouts you have to do something that stands out and makes them want you on the team," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "And Marah obviously showed them everything they needed."
Team Canada cruised through pool play, defeating China 83-62, Czech Republic 66-61, Egypt 100-44, and Brazil 89-45. Dykstra averaged seven rebounds per game, the second-best mark of any athlete in opening round action.
"Marah has always defended and rebounded at a high level," Binford said. "She kept the ball moving and was an important part of Team Canada. Marah knows how to be a champion in her role and makes a team a championship team. Team Canada could always count on her."
The Canadians opened bracket play with an 82-69 win over Mali, before dropping a 77-70 decision to host Spain in the semifinals. Team Canada rebounded with an 80-73 win over France to capture the bronze medal.
For Dykstra, the experience playing in summer tournaments with her national team will pay dividends as she heads into her second season with the Bobcats.
"I think the playing style is so versatile at these World Cup tournaments," she said. "Last year we were familiar with the teams and their pace of game, but the World Cup challenged us to scout for all different ways of playing, which was very interesting. You have to adapt quick."
Dykstra finished World Cup play averaging 23.1 minutes, while chipping in 4.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. She also totaled 13 assists, five steals and four blocks.
"My training with the Cats prepared me both physically and mentally for a high level of competition like this one," Dykstra commented. "At MSU, we do a great job of keeping our minds and bodies in shape throughout the season to be able to compete at a high level on demand.
"This spring we really went after it in our training, and I feel like that competitiveness carried over to my national team experience," she added. "It's also great having such a loud and energetic home crowd in Bozeman, it prepares you to play in any loud gym no matter where you are."
According to Binford, Dykstra made a huge jump in her play during spring drills. Not only will Binford rely on Dykstra's on court abilities, but she is looking for her to become one of the team's leaders.
"Marah has the potential to be a tremendous leader for us," Binford said. "If you've ever met Marah or asked one of her teammates, they would describe her as a leader. She is just that kid. Whether she knows it or not, she leads by example every day. She always says the right things.
"Outside of our senior class, we actually have a fairly young team, Binford added. "For Marah to be an older soul as a sophomore is going to be extremely important for us. She is going to be a major piece of our next steps."
Dykstra agrees with Binford that her added experience outside the cozy confines of Worthington Arena will lead to greater outcomes this winter.
"I think this summer helped me with my consistency and composure under pressure while remaining competitive and physical," Dykstra said. "Any competition where I'm representing my country raises my level of competitiveness every time I step on the floor, and when I'm playing for the Bobcats it's no different. I'm excited to bring that over for my sophomore season in Bozeman."
Last winter, Dykstra played in 29 games, including ten starts. She finished her inaugural campaign averaging 3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as the Bobcats captured a regular season Big Sky title- the program's fourth championship in the past eight years. Dykstra had her best game of the season at Wyoming, recording a team-high 16 points, while hauling down five boards.
Over the past 18 seasons, Binford has built Montana State into one of the most consistent mid-major programs by placing an emphasis on championship culture and leadership.
"To talk about championship culture, you need a leader in the locker room and Marah's somebody we're going to ask to speak up, often, because when she has something to say it's extremely valuable," Binford said. "She is definitely a rising leader in our program and she's going to be an important piece on both the court stuff and with our culture. If you want to see what a champion looks like, it's Marah Dykstra."
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