TORONTO, Ont. – Canada Basketball announced Tuesday that Patrick Tatham returns this summer as head coach to lead Canada at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2022 (June 6-12).

With his appointment, Tatham named Laurier's Manager of Men's Basketball Operations & Head Coach Justin Serresse and Shawn Swords, who both coached alongside him at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2021, and Nathan Grant as assistant coaches.

Serresse made his FIBA coaching debut for Canada last summer after serving as an assistant coach at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy. He previously was a high-performance coach at the Canada Basketball Junior Academy for the 2015-16 season. 

"I'm very honoured that Canada Basketball has entrusted me with this opportunity again this year," said Serresse. "This will be my first time competing in the FIBA Americas, so I'm looking forward to the opportunity to learn and grow while facing other top continental nations."

"It's always a privelege to represent Canada and compete for a gold medal."

Originally from Brampton, Ont.,Tatham, who became head coach of McMaster University (OUA) in 2017, led the Marauders to a 11-5 regular season record and second place in the OUA West division. During the 2015-16, as interim head coach of the Ryerson Rams, Tatham led the team to a 17-2 regular season record and captured the program's first Wilson Cup title as OUA conference champions. He was recognized for his efforts as he earned OUA Coach of the Year honour and was awarded the Stu Aberdeen Trophy as CIS Coach of the Year.

For over 25 years, Swords has been involved with Canada Basketball as both a player and coach. Swords, who represented Canada for over 10 years, including the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, is currently the head coach at Laurentian University, a position he has held since 2007 following a lengthy playing career in Europe.

Currently the head coach of the Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ), a position he's held since 2019, Grant will make his FIBA coaching debut for Canada this summer.  As a head coach for Basketball Quebec, Grant led the U17 team to back-to-back medals, capturing a bronze medal at the 2017 Canada Summer Games before winning the Canada Basketball National Championship title the following year. 

The draw for the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2022 will take place at an upcoming date yet to be announced, but Canada Basketball will host a Men's High-Performance National Team Age-Group Assessment Camp at Humber College (Toronto, ON) from April 15-18.

Canada is currently ranked 4th overall in the FIBA men's age-group rankings, presented by Nike.

-with files from Canada Basketball