Nathaniel Mitchell has been appointed as the head coach of the Canadian men’s senior basketball team for the initial qualifying phase of the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup. The coaching decision was revealed by Canada Basketball in a press release issued on Monday. Mitchell is stepping in for Gordie Herbert, the head coach of Canada, who is currently managing Bayern Munich, the reigning champion in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga.
Expressing his gratitude and pride, Mitchell stated in the press release, “I am truly honored to have another chance to represent our nation. With Gordie Herbert leading us in this upcoming quad, our primary aim is to continue progressing and achieving victories.” He emphasized the significance of qualifying for the World Cup by stressing the necessity to compete fiercely and secure victories in every game played.
Canada’s coaching staff will also include assistant coaches JD Jackson, Hanno Mottola, and Phil Jevtovic. The team is set to compete against the Bahamas in two matches, with the first game scheduled in Nassau on Friday and the second in Toronto on December 1. Mitchell previously guided Canada to a fourth-place finish at the FIBA Men’s AmeriCup held in August. Additionally, he served as an assistant coach under Jordi Fernandez’s leadership when Canada secured a bronze medal by defeating the United States at the 2023 World Cup.