Joe Raso, recognized as one of the leading coaches and international scouts in Canadian basketball history, was named Director, Basketball Operations by the Canadian Elite Basketball League on Tuesday. He will lead the league's player procurement program both domestically and internationally, oversee the CEBL Draft, direct team and player compliance issues, supervise officiating, and play a lead role in the CEBL's relationships with FIBA, Canada Basketball, other basketball bodies, and with player agents.
'To retain someone of Joe Raso's stature to lead basketball operations is a landmark addition for the Canadian Elite Basketball League, and reflects exceptionally well on what our league has done in only five months of existence and where we're heading,' said Mike Morreale, the league's Chief Executive Officer. 'For more than 35 years Joe has been recognized for his contributions and achievements at every level of basketball around the world. As we continue to create Canada's preeminent national league for basketball, and look forward to beginning play next May, we are thrilled to have Joe serving as director of basketball operations.'
A resident of Hamilton, Ontario, Raso is the all-time winningest coach in McMaster University history, and one of the most successful coaches in CIS/U SPORTS history, compiling 389 wins against only 155 losses (a .715 winning percentage) in 18 seasons, including 17 seasons with 20 or more wins with the Marauders. He currently serves as Head Scout with the Canadian Men's National team, and is an advance scout with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, and Denver Nuggets. Last season Raso served as head coach and general manager of the Niagara River Lions, leading the team to its first-ever playoff victory before the franchise moved up from the NBL to join the CEBL.
'I am very happy to be on board with the CEBL, and joining a winning and dedicated professional league that is building a legacy for a game that means so much to me,' Raso said. 'The CEBL is going to be an entertaining league that allows Canadian fans nationally the opportunity to enjoy professional basketball that will include Canadian and international talent playing together in great facilities. The development of this league, with its solid corporate administration and commitment to entertainment and the development or basketball, is very important to me.
'Basketball, in my opinion, is the most inclusive sport in Canada in both participation and fan base,' Raso added. 'It is important to me that I'm involved in a league that has both a national vision, and a shared view of development with our national and international governing bodies.'
Raso has been a national and international consultant, clinician, committee member, speaker, and basketball analyst during the past 25 years. A former National team assistant coach for four years, he has coached in World Championships and Olympic qualifiers, and has coached some of Canada's greatest players, including NBA two-time Most Valuable Player and Hall of Fame inductee Steve Nash. Raso's basketball resume includes four OUA titles, 12 CIS National Championship tournament appearances that resulted in four Silver medals, and being named OUA Coach of the Year six times. He produced five 'All Canadian' players and two National Player of the Year winners while leading McMaster.
An alum of both McMaster and Brock universities who started his university coaching career at the University of Guelph in 1983, Raso has been instrumental in developing basketball at the grassroots level. He is a former Technical Directory with the World International Children's Games, and his Hamilton, Ontario teams won international Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at those Games. As a high school teacher for 32 years, he coached St. Mary's high school in Hamilton to an OFSAA championship in 1991, and represented Canada at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany, the top international junior tournament in the world. He has served as director of the Joe Raso High School Basketball Camp since 1999, and as director of Focus on Youth Basketball Camp in Hamilton since 2009.
Raso was founder and developer of 'Basketball vs Bullying', which became the largest anti-bullying seminar in the world and holds the Canadian record for the most attended university basketball game in Canada's history. He was awarded the YMCA National Peace Award in 2006 for that initiative. In 2008 he developed and co-directed 'Hoops Against Hate 'Faces of Racism'', an interactive experience for high school students using basketball to deliver a message of anti-racism.
The inaugural season of the CEBL tips off in May 2019 and runs through August with teams in Hamilton, Niagara, Guelph, Saskatoon, Abbotsford, and Edmonton. Teams will play 20 regular season games, including 10 at home. Deposits on priority season tickets are being accepted now by each team, with season seats going on sale later this fall.
Further information may be obtained at: www.cebl.ca
Guarasci Named Head Coach, General Manager of The Fraser Valley Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League - 17 days ago
VANCOUVER, JAN. 29, 2019 - Peter Guarasci, a prominent alumnus of Team Canada's Men's National Team, has been named the first-ever Head Coach and General Manager of the Fraser Valley Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Guarasci's decorated basketball lineage spans the globe, beginning as a player at the highest levels of American and Canadian collegiate basketball. This paved the way for an impressive 12-year professional career in top men's leagues in Germany, Spain,... [read more]
VANCOUVER, JAN. 29, 2019 - Peter Guarasci, a prominent alumnus of Team Canada's Men's National Team, has been named the first-ever Head Coach and General Manager of the Fraser Valley Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Guarasci's decorated basketball lineage spans the globe, beginning as a player at the highest levels of American and Canadian collegiate basketball. This paved the way for an impressive 12-year professional career in top men's leagues in Germany, Spain, and Italy, highlighted by a key role on Canada's Men's National Team under now Charlotte Hornets Lead Assistant Coach Jay Triano, and alongside fellow national team alumni and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, current Assistant General Manager and Executive Vice President of Canada's Senior Men's Program Rowan Barrett, and NBA TV Canada Analyst Sherman Hamilton.
The CEBL begins play in 2019 in six cities across Canada. Fraser Valley's first-ever game is scheduled for Thursday, May 9 when Guelph visits the Bandits at Abbotsford Centre for the team's inaugural home opener. The announcement of Guarasci's appointment was made at a press conference in downtown Vancouver at the Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill.
Guarasci represented Canada on the international stage at the 1995 Summer Universiade in Fukuoka, Japan, the 1998 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Championship in Greece and the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Standing 6-foot-9, Guarasci built a reputation as an elite defender at every level. He finished top 10 in blocks in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 while playing for the Fairfield Stags men's basketball team in NCAA Division I. After two years in the NCAA, Guarasci returned to Canada where he played two seasons at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), earning two team MVP awards and a nod as an NAIA All-American in 1996.
Guarasci has dedicated himself to coaching since retiring from professional play. Between 2012-2018, he served as the head coach of the University of British Columbia Okanagan's men's basketball team, where he placed an emphasis on student-athlete achievement, both on the court and in the classroom.
'I would like to thank Bandits President Lee Genier, CEBL Director of Basketball Operations Joe Raso, and the rest of the Canadian Elite Basketball League's stakeholders for this tremendous opportunity. I am very excited to be part of a league with a mandate to develop the game domestically and provide a podium for Canada's most exciting generation of professional basketball players,' Guarasci said.
'Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley are a hotbed for basketball in western Canada and we hope to make great connections between the team and the community. Grassroots ties are integral to our development and we hope to play an exciting brand of basketball that has fans returning to be entertained game after game.'
Towards the end of his professional playing career, Guarasci spent summers with the Canadian Development and Junior National men's teams in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009, where he used his skillset as one of Canada's best centers in the late 1990s and early 2000s to help develop the next generation of Canadian post players.
This paved the way for valuable stints as an assistant coach at SFU and the University of Alberta before ultimately serving as a head coach at MacEwan University and then with the University of British Columbia Okanagan's men's basketball team for six years. While coaching the Heat, Guarasci utilized a holistic approach towards fostering student-athlete development at the university and in the community. Beyond coaching and recruiting, Guarasci was actively involved in academic monitoring, university fundraising efforts, and youth-driven development programs, evidenced by his development of one of the Okanagan's top-tier youth basketball programs, the Junior Heat. Guarasci currently resides in Kelowna, where he coaches with the Fundamental Youth Basketball Association (FYBA).
'Basketball is the sport of Canada's current cultural moment, and I couldn't be more excited to forge a bold new chapter in Canadian basketball history by welcoming a Head Coach and General Manager of Guarasci's calibre,' said Genier, who spent 19 years with the Calgary Stampeders, where he held the position of Senior Vice President of Business Operations prior to winning 2016 NLL Executive of the Year with the Saskatchewan Rush.
'Guarasci's addition is a testament to the CEBL's bright future. He is a community-first leader that believes in creating a lasting impact for players and fans that extends well beyond the game of basketball. His values and belief system reflect the progressive and innovative nature of the CEBL and will help create an unforgettable entertainment experience for fans, community and corporate partners.'
The Saskatchewan Rattlers, member club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), are elated to introduce Greg Jockims as the first ever head coach and general manager in franchise history. Jockims joins the Rattlers after coaching the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's basketball team for 13 years. From 1998 to 2011 Jockims helped rebuild the Huskies and coached them to seven straight playoff appearances which included Central Division Regular Season Titles in 2005 and 2006 a... [read more]
The Saskatchewan Rattlers, member club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), are elated to introduce Greg Jockims as the first ever head coach and general manager in franchise history.
Jockims joins the Rattlers after coaching the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's basketball team for 13 years. From 1998 to 2011 Jockims helped rebuild the Huskies and coached them to seven straight playoff appearances which included Central Division Regular Season Titles in 2005 and 2006 as well as a Central Division Championship in 2006 and a Canada West Championship in 2010. That same year, Jockims lead an underdog Huskie team to the pinnacle of men's university basketball in Canada by becoming the first men's program in Saskatchewan to win the CIS National Championship. Amassing a total of 198 victories during his time as the Huskies head coach, Jockims will bring a high-intensity and fast-paced game to the Rattlers hardwood. Jockims' first task as the Rattlers head coach and general manager is to begin the recruitment and assembly of the Rattlers roster.
As a player, Jockims played a total of five seasons with the Huskies and reached the national championship in two seasons. After graduation Jockims became an assistant coach with the Huskies before moving west to become an assistant coach at the University of Victoria. From 1994-1998 Jockims was the head coach for Cape Breton University where he led the Capers to an AUS Championship title and third place in the 1995 National Championship. This is not Jockims first foray into professional basketball as he was an assistant coach for the league champion Saskatoon Slam in 1993. Most recently, Jockims has spent time as a High-Performance Coach for Basketball Saskatchewan Inc.
'We couldn't be more thrilled to have Greg as the first head coach and general manager in Rattlers franchise history,' said Rattlers President and COO Lee Genier. 'He has a proven track record as a winning coach on the national stage and has strong ties to the community. I know that the people of Saskatchewan are in for some very exciting basketball starting in May and Greg is the right person to lead the team in its historic inaugural season.'
Modelled after top international professional leagues, the CEBL is comprised of six original teams in Hamilton, Edmonton, Guelph, St. Catharines, Abbotsford, and Saskatoon. Each team plays 10 home and 10 road games using FIBA (International Basketball Federation) rules, and player and referee standards set by Canada Basketball. Rosters will be comprised of at least 70 percent Canadian players, many playing professionally in North America and overseas during the traditional basketball season. Playing out of the SaskTel Centre, the Rattlers will play ten home games starting with their season opener on May 9, 2019, at 7 p.m. against the Niagara River Lions. Season tickets range from $175 in the lower bowl to $775 for courtside and are available on the Rattlers website.
Individual game tickets are expected to go on sale in spring 2019.
Fans are able to reserve their place in history by visiting the Rattlers website. A detailed seat map, with a link to purchase tickets can be found here.
For more information about the Rattlers, visit www.therattlers.ca or www.cebl.ca
The Niagara River Lions Professional Basketball Club has named Victor Raso to serve as Head Coach and General Manager for the 2019 Canadian Elite Basketball League season. The CEBL begins play in May 2019 in six cities across Canada. Raso joined the River Lions for the 2017-18 season as Lead Assistant Coach, and he played a large role in the team's success, helping guide them to the most wins in franchise history and their first playoff win. The River Lions began the search for their ne... [read more]
The Niagara River Lions Professional Basketball Club has named Victor Raso to serve as Head Coach and General Manager for the 2019 Canadian Elite Basketball League season. The CEBL begins play in May 2019 in six cities across Canada.
Raso joined the River Lions for the 2017-18 season as Lead Assistant Coach, and he played a large role in the team's success, helping guide them to the most wins in franchise history and their first playoff win.
The River Lions began the search for their new bench boss this past fall, and it was Raso's prior experience and relationship with the River Lions organization that stood out amongst the candidates. River Lions President Jeffrey Sotiriou is confident that Raso's transition to head coach will be seamless. 'Victor has proven to be a hardworking and talented coach. When Victor joined the River Lions last season, we were immediately impressed with his professionalism, work ethic, and modern approach to the game,' said Sotiriou.
"I am incredibly grateful to President Jeffrey Soitirou and the River Lions organization for believing in me and entrusting me with this opportunity,' said Raso. 'As we transition into the CEBL, Niagara will become the preeminent destination for Canadian professional basketball players playing around the world, to come home, develop their game and further their career.'
Raso brings a fresh perspective with experience in both playing and coaching for Canada's top university basketball program. He won back to back CIS national titles in 2013 and 2014 as captain with Carleton University before taking on the role of Assistant Coach for the Ravens, where he earned his third championship title alongside Canadian U Sports legend Dave Smart.
'I am excited to build a team of like-minded people who value growth, dedication, and a passion for the game of basketball as much as I do,' Raso added. 'Together, we will do everything we can to bring a national championship to the Niagara Region and to our amazing River Lions fans."
The River Lions are joined by Guelph, Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Edmonton and Fraser Valley as the original six teams in the CEBL. Each team will include a minimum of 70 percent Canadian players. Teams will play a 20-game regular season schedule from May through August 2019. Season tickets are available now at riverlions.ca/tickets.
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