Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has officially been chosen to lead Team Canada at this year's FIBA World Cup, according to a report from Chicco Nacion of theScore.
“I'm looking forward to working with this talented group of young players, and to seeing what we can do on the competitive global basketball stage,” Nurse said in a statement via theScore. “I love the international game. I also see this as a real chance for me to learn from the world’s best, and for us to represent Canada with pride and distinction.”
Gordie Herbert will serve as an associate head coach for Team Canada. Herbert is a well-known figure in Canada, as he coached Team Canada during the second stint of World Cup qualifiers. As for the rest of the team's coaching staff, Nurse tells reporters that he is looking to unite a group of world-class leaders.
“I'm looking to put together a world-class staff together,” Nurse told reporters.
Blake Murphy of The Athletic reports that Nurse's deal is set to run through the 2020 Olympics.
The Nurse-Canada agreement is for through the 2020 Olympics. So he's locked in for that event if they qualify, beyond that it's open.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) June 24, 2019
Nurse says he started considering the job before the playoffs, then things started lining up with timeline, Raptors and family approval, him giving up vacation, etc. Nurse says he was 65% sure and his wife pushed him to 100.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) June 24, 2019
Nurse led the Raptors to a 58-24 overall record this past season, then on to their first championship in franchise history. He was the ninth rookie head coach to win an NBA title (John Kundla, Edward Gottlieb, Buddy Jeannette, George Senesky, Pat Riley, Paul Westhead, Steve Kerr, and Tyronn Lue).
Team Canada, who will be seeking their first playoff berth since 2000, will kick off their 2019 FIBA World Cup campaign on September 1 with a matchup against Australia.
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