TORONTO (Canada) - Nick Nurse stressed the need for continuity when he was confirmed as Canada head coach through the 2024 Olympics in Paris and that was his message again this week following the announcement that his national team assistants Nate Bjorkgren and Nathaniel Mitchell will lead the country in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers and next year's FIBA AmeriCup.

Both were on the coaching staff of Canada at the World Cup in China in 2019 and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Victoria.

Fellow Iowan Bjorkgren, one of Nurse's best friends, has been named associate head coach of Canada for the November and February windows of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers.

Mitchell, a Canadian who this summer was added to Nurse's Toronto Raptors coaching staff, will serve as head coach for the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 in Brazil. Before that, Mitchell will be a lead assistant coach on Bjorkgren’s staff during the November and February windows.

"Consistency is critical for the sustained success of this team and that extends beyond the players to our coaching staff as well," said Nurse.

"Having Nate and Nathaniel lead our team during the upcoming FIBA competitions will be not only another important step in their development as coaches but also the continuity and culture we are committed to building as a program."

In the Americas Qualifiers, Canada are in Group C with the Dominican Republic, US Virgin Islands and Bahamas. Bjorkgren, a former head coach in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, is enthusiastic about the opportunity.

"We believe that we are continuing to build something special with this program and the upcoming Americas Qualifiers windows will be an important first step for us as a team towards qualifying for the World Cup,” he said.

Mitchell is also fired up.

"As an inner-city kid and a proud Canadian, having the opportunity to coach our Senior Men’s National Team in international competition is an honor," he said. "The last six years working with our country’s next generation of players has been one of the highlights of my coaching career and I’m excited to lead our team next summer at the AmeriCup."

With Nurse at the helm, Canada placed 21st at the World Cup in China, were 21st at the World Cup in China and losers in the Semi-Finals of the OQT in Canada.

FIBA