Canada basketball is not on the rise.

It has arrived.

When the Toronto Raptors and the short-lasted Vancouver Grizzlies entered the NBA in 1995, no body knew what to make of it. The following year at the NBA Draft the world saw Steve Nash, a Victoria, British Columbia native get drafted 15th overall. Two years later Vince Carter was drafted fifth overall, and changed the Raptors franchise for the better.

But none of the above actions made anyone believe that their would be a basketball storm in Canada 20-years later.

On Sunday evening, according to YouTube over 2,000 people tuned into the FIBA Americas Under-16 Gold Medal game. That number does not make your eyes pop out but it is more than one would think a basketball game for the ages of 15 and 16 would receive.

The game saw an American team, who has been undefeated over the last four FIBA Americas Under-16 tournaments, and a Canadian team that in the past has had some good showings.

This game may have had no meaning to the average basketball fan in the States. As basketball players have come and gone from down south. But this tournament has also showcased the best of the best. For the Americans, Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards won Most Valuable Player at this tournament six years ago, and Jabari Parker of the Milwaukee Bucks won that same award four years ago.

For Canada this years tournament was more than just the 15 and 16 year olds taking the court. It was about the future the game had in Canada and connections that have been built.

Canada basketball is no longer here to just produce basketball talent, but here to dethrone the Americans as the best.

Countries such as Spain and Argentina have tried to outshine the Americans in multiple tournaments before. It just has never been done. No country has yet to take a consistent run at the Americans. Even on Sunday night it was thought the Americans would run right through the Canadians.

Entering the Gold Medal game the Americans point differential in this years tournament was +198 with wins coming against Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Brazil and Argentina. Canada had similar success posting a point differential of +126 with wins against Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina and Dominican Republic.

For the Americans it was about showcasing their skills like many have before them. The Canadians wanted to continue down a path that names like Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett have created for them.

“They made a path for us and we have to continue the wave of Canadian basketball,” Simisola Shittu told Rogers Sportsnets Michael Grange. Shittu was a key star to this years Canada team at the U-16 tournament, as he posted three double-doubles.

Shittu and his teammates are much aware of the path that has been created for them.

In 2011 Wiggins, Bennett, and current NCAA stars Kevin Pangos and Oliver Hanlon led Canada to a bronze medal at the FIBA Americas Under-16 tournament. Tyler Ennis once led the junior world championship in scoring. Tristan Thompson and Cory Joesph are now veterans on the Canadian National Men’s team.

But this one game against the Americans had so much meaning for the next handful of Canadians. Getting off to a 19-3 start after the first quarter showed the young Canadians were not messing around. However, Canada was outscored 74-41 the rest of the way as the Americans took home the gold with a 77-60 win.

The States now stand at a 20-0 record at this tournament.

The Canadians, who brought home the country’s first silver medal at this tournament have no reason to hang their heads. Rather, eye’s have been opened around the country with the talent that continues to arise for Canada.

These Canadians showed they have similar potential as the current NBA Canadian stars, and their success at this tournament was just the start of a summer that could see Canada bring home multiple medals.

Starting from June 27-July 5 the Canadian Under-19 teams heads to Greece to try and win a medal at the World Junior Championships. Names like Dillon Brooks, Jalen Poyser and Justin Jackson are must watch.

Then follow the men’s and women’s national teams at the Pan Am games in Toronto. Both will also need to prepare for their Olympic qualifying events. The women will do so in Edmonton from August 9-16 and the men in Mexico City starting August 31.

This is a summer filled with Canadian basketball. And the goal is to become the best of the best.

Wiggins, Bennett and more look to Nash and Carter as their connection. Shittu and teammates look to Wiggins and friends as their connection to the game. It’s only a matter of time till the next generation look to Shittu and his teammates.

This summer of Canadian basketball is just going to be a taste of what the future holds.

The Canadian basketball storm has been brewing for 20-years.

Now, it has arrived.

Follow Satbir Singh on Twitter @SatbirSingh_ & don’t forget to follow @HoopsHypeCA