Triano returns as Head Coach of Canada’s National Team

Jay Triano has been named to the top coaching spot for Team Canada for the second time, the last one ending in his dismissal in 2005.

With NBA great Steve Nash on board as General Manager, the Canadians look forward to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain and the 2016 Olympics in Rio with a new optimism. The last time Canada qualified a basketball squad for the Olympics was the 2000 games in Sydney, with then head coach Jay Triano. That squad only lost one game, unfortunately it came during an elimination game so they came home empty-handed.

“(10-15) years ago we had a lot of guys playing in the NCAA tournament, they were getting one minute, two minutes. Now we’re getting guys playing in the tournament that are major players on major teams,” Triano said.

“To talk to them about how excited they are to represent Canada, it’s energizing. I’m looking forward to getting on the court with them.”

In addition to Nash, Triano will be working with Assistant General Manager Rowan Barrett, who was Nash’s teammate on the 2000 squad in Sydney.

Fortunately for Team Canada, it appears that the young talent they hope to work with to reach their goals sees the new direction in the national program and 27 have shown up for an orientation camp that Nash organized in Toronto.

“It shows guys are starting to get involved. Guys are buying in, guys want to see what’s going on with Canada Basketball who’ve never had an opportunity to. It’s good for basketball in our country that we finally have the best players coming together and working out and wanting to be a part of something,” Cleveland Cavaliers Tristan Thompson said recently. “Especially because in the past, guys were shying away from playing or turning it down, so I’m excited everyone’s coming together and putting two feet in.”