Canada’s men’s basketball team’s bench will soon look very, well, Canadian.
A group of nine assistant coaches who will be with the team through the 2028 Olympics was unveiled on Tuesday, with all but one holding Canadian passports.
They will work under Gordie Herbert, who was named head coach in May.
The pool includes Toronto Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela, ex-Raptors assistant Nathaniel Mitchell, Utah Jazz assistant Scott Morrison, Matt Gray, JD Jackson, Hanno Möttölä, Ashton Smith, Shawn Swords and Patrick Tatham.
Only Möttölä, from Finland, hails from outside of Canada.
Jackson and Swords are alumni of the men’s senior team.
“With the increasing demands of the international calendar, and a dynamic, evolving player pool, it’s essential that our coaching infrastructure reflects both flexibility and alignment,” general manager Rowan Barrett said in a statement. “This group represents the best of Canadian basketball — with proven success across the NBA, FIBA, Olympics, and European professional leagues — and will play a critical role as we build toward LA 2028.”
The group’s next major tournament is the FIBA AmeriCup, which begins Aug. 22 in Nicaragua.
Mitchell will serve as head coach for that event as Herbert remains under contract with Germany’s Bayern Munich and is unable to assume full duties until next summer.
“The AmeriCup provides a valuable opportunity to build chemistry and depth across our roster,” said Mitchell. “I’m honoured to once again lead the national team and continue the momentum that’s been built over the past few years. Representing Canada never gets old.”
