Back

Fernandez Still on Course to Coach Canadian Men’s Basketball Team at Olympics

Canadian men’s national team head coach Jordi Fernandez has been appointed as the coach of the Brooklyn Nets. However, Canada Basketball has assured that his new role will not impact his position at the Paris Olympics.

Last June, Fernandez took on the Team Canada job after Nick Nurse stepped down amid his transition from the Toronto Raptors to Philadelphia 76ers. Concerns arose that history might repeat itself with the Olympics approaching, but Canada general manager Rowan Barrett clarified that Fernandez will continue as the coach for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Barrett emphasized the desire to build on the success achieved last summer and mentioned the close collaboration between Canada Basketball, the Nets and Fernandez during the hiring process.

Fernandez, originally from Badalona, Spain, guided Canada to a bronze medal in the Basketball World Cup, thereby securing their qualification for the Olympics.

In Paris, Canada’s seventh-ranked men’s team will compete in Group A alongside Australia (ranked fifth), the winner of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Spain, and the winner of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece.

In a statement posted by the Nets on X, Fernandez said he was “grateful” to receive his first NBA head coaching opportunity.

“I am eager to get to work with this talented group of players and collectively drive our team forward. Together, we will be fully committed to building something special for Nets fans and the borough to be proud of for years to come,” he said.

The Canadian men’s team has not won an Olympic medal since 1936.

/Stewart
Sports news editor