Jordi Fernandez replaces Nick Nurse as Canada head coach / News - Basketnews.com

Jordi Fernandez takes charge as head coach of the Canadian national team, replacing Nick Nurse, who had been leading the squad since 2019.

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

Jordi Fernandez, the associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings, has taken on the additional responsibility of becoming the Canadian national team head coach, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Fernandez will be stepping in for Nick Nurse, who had been leading the national team while also coaching the Toronto Raptors since 2019.

In his new role, Fernandez will lead a Canadian roster that boasts several notable NBA players, such as the All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, NBA champion Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, and Dillon Brooks.

The team will be competing in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Team Canada meets Latvia, France, and Lebanon in Group H in the upcoming World Cup.

Fernandez, originally from Barcelona, has emerged as a strong candidate for NBA head coaching positions in recent years. He was interviewed for head coaching roles with the Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks earlier this spring.

Prior to joining the Kings as associate head coach a year ago, Fernandez had coaching experience with the national team programs of Spain and Nigeria.

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