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Raptors’ coach Nurse to guide Canada at Basketball World Cup
MONTREAL, June 17, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Fresh off coaching the Toronto Raptors
to the NBA title, Nick Nurse confirmed Sunday that he plans to coach the
Canadian national team at the upcoming Basketball World Cup.
“It’s just about done and something I’m really looking forward to doing,”
Nurse said of a deal to coach Canada in the global showdown in China this
coming September.
Jay Triano coached Canada to a 27-5 record over the past four years but
stepped down from the job three months ago.
“I think it’s going to make me a better coach,” said Nurse, whose prior
stints included experience as an assistant coach with Britain at the 2012
London Olympics.
“I learned a lot as a coach in that run and I’m hoping this experience will
do the same.”
Nurse, who would be imposition to guide Canada at next year’s Tokyo
Olympics also, became the ninth rookie coach in NBA history to take a team to
the title when the Raptors beat Golden State last Thursday to win the best-
of-seven NBA Finals 4-2.
Denver’s Jamal Murray, Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson and Dallas forward
Dwight Powell are among some of the NBA players who would be available for
Nurse’s Canadian squad.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0832 hrs