Oct. 10 local sports report: CEBL; Generals football; Minor hockey; NF marathon
Joe Raso, shown in background, is the newly appointed director of basketball operations by the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
Former Niagara River Lions head coach Joe Raso has been named the director of basketball operations by the Canadian Elite Basketball League on Tuesday.
Raso will lead the league’s domestic and international player procurement, oversee the draft, direct team and player compliance issues, supervise officiating, and play a lead role in the CEBL’s relationships with FIBA, Canada Basketball, other basketball bodies, and with player agents.
“To retain someone of Joe Raso’s stature to lead basketball operations is a landmark addition for the Canadian Elite Basketball League, and reflects exceptionally well on what our league has done in only five months of existence and where we’re heading,” CEBL CEO Morreale said. “For more than 35 years, Joe has been recognized for his contributions and achievements at every level of basketball around the world.”
The Hamilton resident is the winningest coach in McMaster University history and one of the most successful Canadian university coaches with a record of 389-155.
The current head scout of Canadian men’s national team and advance scout with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks is happy to be joining the CEBL.
“The CEBL is going to be an entertaining league that allows Canadian fans nationally the opportunity to enjoy professional basketball that will include Canadian and international talent playing together in great facilities,” he said. “The development of this league, with its solid corporate administration and commitment to entertainment and the development or basketball, is very important to me.”