TORONTO – Canada Basketball is proud to announce the appointment of Chris Cheng as the organization’s new manager of youth player development. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Canada Basketball; his proven track record of excellence – both on and off the court – will serve as a strong addition to Canada’s national team programs.

One of the primary responsibilities of the manager of youth player development is to oversee and guide the management of the Targeted Athlete Strategy (TAS) program. Canada Basketball is committed to growing and nurturing the nation’s basketball talent; Mr. Cheng will aid in that development through his education and leadership. Chris will work closely with TAS head coaches from each region to deliver a fully-integrated, consistent curriculum to further the skill-sets of the nation’s young athletes. As the manager of youth player development, Chris will also be responsible for monitoring the progress of nationally identified athletes with the potential for recruitment into the national team program.

Mr. Cheng brings a great deal of coaching expertise and a winning pedigree to the team at Canada Basketball. As the men’s varsity assistant coach with the York University Lions from 2008 to 2012, Chris helped develop and hone the players’ defensive skills and tactics. As the head coach of Ontario Basketball’s 17U Boys Team, he guided his charges to back-to-back national championships in 2011 and 2012. Chris – the 2011 Ontario Basketball Men’s Elite Coach of the Year – has accumulated several years of experience developing and delivering basketball curriculums to various age-groups. He is well-versed in tactical and technical skills on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.

Chris will provide a significant contribution to the continued development of Canada Basketball’s youth programs with his strong coaching and educational background. As a fully-certified Level 3 NCCP coach and as an NCCP Facilitator and Evaluator, Chris has accumulated an extensive knowledge-base to share with the nation’s young players. His bachelor’s degree in education, coupled with a diploma in early childhood education, provide Chris with the ability to teach youths and the understanding that is necessary to foster a successful learning environment.

Canada Basketball has seen several recent successes at the cadet and junior levels. The knowledge and experience brought on through Chris Cheng’s hiring will continue to develop and strengthen Canada as a basketball nation.

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