Dave Smart shows interest in coaching Canada’s national basketball team – Basketball News
Canada’s former national basketball team’s assistant coach Dave Smart has shown interest in the vacant head coaching position.
Former head coach Leo Rautins resigned from his job after Canada was knocked out in the 2011 FIBA Americas Tournament after suffering a defeat at the hands of Panama. With USA not participating in the competition, which was an
entry path to the 2012 London Olympics, Canada had a golden chance to finish with in the first five teams and give themselves a chance to make it to the Olympics. However, after being on the wrong end of many close games throughout the tournament, they ended
up losing to Panama, who were considered as the lightweights of the tournament.
The abrupt exit came as a huge shock to the Canadians and the first repercussion came in the form of Rautin’s resignation. Although, there has been no official word about the potential coach, but there is a strong possibility of
Dave Smart becoming the new head coach. Smart has a tremendous college basketball coaching career behind him and is considered as one of the very best coaches of Canadian Interuniversity Sports.
On Tuesday, Smart confirmed that he has not been approached by any official from Canada’s basketball management, but if anything did come up, he would certainly consider it. In a telephonic interview, he said
“I haven’t been approached. I think it’s early. They haven’t contacted me, when it comes to the national team, that’s something most coaches would be honoured to do. I’m definitely interested. Without question, to be a Canadian
and be the coach of the national team is probably, for me, the highest level. It’s much better coaching the national team than in the NBA.”
Smart is one of the best options available for the team Canada at the moment. He started his college coaching career in 1997 when he was hired as an assistant coach by Carleton University. After becoming prominent as successful head coach of Carleton University
in Ottawa, Ontario, Smart was made an assistant coach of Canadian senior men’s basketball team, but was never given the head coaching job.
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