National Team Alumni to Work with Next Generation of Canadian Athletes
Canada Basketball is pleased to announce the hiring of Greg Francis as Men’s High Performance Manager.
“On behalf of Canada Basketball, we are excited to announce Greg as the new Men’s High Performance Manager,” said President and CEO, Michele O’Keefe. “Greg is an Olympian, having represented Canada in Sydney in 2000, and recognizes the prominence of representing Canada. Since then he has coached at the highest levels in Canada – the CIS – and for Canada internationally. His role with our junior and senior national teams gives him the best understanding of how crucial technical alignment is for Canada to reach the podium.”
The former Waterloo Head Coach assisted with the Senior Men’s National Team for the past four years. Francis was a key component of the coaching staff that led Canada to two FIBA Americas tournaments and the European Exhibition Tour in 2014. He has also seen success in the CIS as he has led the University of Alberta to a second-place finish in the 2012 CIS.
“With Greg’s results-driven personality and passion, Canada Basketball can continue to grow the game and develop players for years to come,” said Assistant General Manager and Executive Vice President of the Senior Men’s Program, Rowan Barrett. “Greg was a tremendous athlete and a pivotal piece for many of our Team Canada coaching staff throughout the decade in a variety of age groups.”
A Toronto native, Francis played four years professionally in Europe and the Middle East from 1997-2000 before becoming the Assistant Coach at Monmouth University the following year.
“My goal is to teach and mentor the best coaches in Canada to take on the World’s best,” said Francis. “I feel Canada Basketball can draw on the strengths and trends in elite basketball development from the most successful basketball countries in the world as well as showcasing the dynamic basketball talent we already have in our athletes.”
Francis’ appointment will be effective immediately. One of his main tasks will be providing technical leadership to the Men’s High Performance Department’s Performance Pathway (Gold Medal Profile project), National Team and Targeted Athlete Strategy (TAS) programs.
Francis began his playing career as a Fairfield University guard in 1994. After helping Canada finish 7that the 2000 Olympics, Francis transitioned into coaching at Monmouth University, Alberta and Waterloo while being the Head Coach of the National Elite Development Academy (2007-2009) and Junior Men’s National Team (2005-2011). See a full bio here.
