SMART MOVE FOR GB UNDER-20S
- Updated: April 8, 2012
Dave Smart is the new coach of Great Britain’s Under-20 men’s team.
The Canadian takes over from Tim Lewis who led the side from 2006 through to 2011 but failed to earn promotion into the A Division.
Smart is a former assistant coach with the Canadian senior national team who most recently coached Team Canada at the 2011 Pan Am Games.
The 45 year old is also a highly regarded university basketball coach, leading the Carleton University Ravens for thirteen seasons. He was the driving force behind the men’s programme there where the Ravens have a combined regular and postseason record of 315 wins and just 30 losses. He has earned CIS Coach of the Year honours four times along the way (2003, 2005, 2009, 2011), as well as six OUA East Coach of the Year nods (2001-2003, 2005, 2009, 2011)
British Basketball’s Head of Performance, Warwick Cann said: “The recent advertisements for the GB under-20 men’s position attracted 105 applicants, so the process of selection has been quite involved. From a players perspective the quality of applicants is reassuring and reaffirms that internationally we are viewed as having a quality programme.
“The recruitment process offered good choices in selecting quality coaches for our future senior international players. There were many applicants who could do the job but Dave Smart is a standout coach internationally who we are pleased to have interested and committed. This will assist GB in reaching our goals and undoubtedly the players will be the beneficiaries.”
Lewis, currently working as an analyst for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, will work with the GB senior men’s team during their 2012 Olympic campaign.
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