A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings assistant leads star-studded Canadian Basketball team

By Parker Thomas

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Associate Head Coach Jordi Fernandez of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a timeout against the Denver Nuggets at Golden 1 Center on December 28, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Associate Head Coach Jordi Fernandez of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a timeout against the Denver Nuggets at Golden 1 Center on December 28, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings have taken big steps to establish themselves as a serious title contender this off-season – and it doesn’t stop at just player acquisition. Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernández took a job a few weeks ago to replace Nick Nurse as the head coach of Team Canada.

Fernández will remain an associate head coach for the Kings but is undertaking the additional role of leading Team Canada through the upcoming FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.

Fernández previously worked with the Spanish and Nigerian national teams, so he has one foot in the door to running a country’s team already.

After his first few weeks in charge, his Team Canada roster has been revealed: and it’s full of NBA stars.

Team Canada Men’s Basketball roster

PG: Jamal Murray, Cory Joseph, Kevin Pangos, Kassius Robertson

SG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Phil Scrubb, Lu Dort, Trae Bell-Haynes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker

SF: RJ Barrett, Thomas Scrubb, Melvin Ejin, Dillon Brooks

PF: Oshae Brissett, Trae Bell-Haynes, Kyle Alexander

C: Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, Zach Edey

The cast has some big-name All-Stars, like NBA Champion Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Dillon Brooks will be a fun person to coach, given the general disliking he created for himself last season as he played the villain.

The team’s extended roster has plenty of guards, so it’s likely we will see some of those names drop off for the actual FIBA World Cup after training camp goes through.

Fernández was previously linked to head coaching jobs after a standout year with the Kings. He interviewed with the Raptors and the Suns for the job but was not selected by either team. Many fans were sad to hear about the potential loss of Jordi, but it is important for fans to understand his career choices and let him prove to the league what we know he is capable of.

The opportunity will let Jordi further develop his coaching skills, and create connections with fantastic players that could go a long way in future free agencies.

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