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. Canada Basketball revealed this coaching decision in a press release issued on Monday. Mitchell will step in for Gordie Herbert, the current head coach of Bayern Munich in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga.
Expressing his gratitude and honor, Mitchell stated in the news release, “I’m truly grateful and honored for another opportunity to represent our country.” He emphasized the goal to continue growing and achieving victories under the leadership of Gordie Herbert in the upcoming period. Mitchell emphasized the significance of qualifying for the World Cup, stressing the importance of competitive spirit and winning each game.
Canada’s coaching staff also includes 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 on December 1 in Toronto. Mitchell previously led Canada to a fourth-place finish at the FIBA Men’s AmeriCup in August and served as an assistant coach during the 2023 World Cup when Canada secured a bronze medal victory against the United States.