Head Coach Returns to Saskatchewan Rattlers for 2023 Season

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Monday that veteran NBA assistant  coach, Dean Demopoulos will return as the team’s head coach for the upcoming Canadian Elite  Basketball League (CEBL) season. 

Demopoulos led Saskatchewan to a play-in game in the 2022 CEBL postseason thanks to a  league-fifth regular season record (11-9). The team then went on to secure a quarterfinal berth  after beating two-time CEBL champion Edmonton Stingers (94-91) at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK. The Rattlers also held a league best home record (8-2) in 2022 under his helm. 

“Dean made an immediate impact last season with the Rattlers – bringing us from last place in  2020 & 2021 to a playoff contender in 2022 with the best home record in the league,” said  Rattlers Vice President, Brad Kraft “His track record of coaching high-level players and teams  around the world gives him a unique style that brings out the best of our players. We are very  excited to have Dean back and push for our second championship in five seasons.” 

Dean Demopoulos, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, made his professional coaching debut  in 1983 at Temple University where he was an assistant coach under John Chaney (Naismith  Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame). During his 17 years with Temple University, the team held a  winning record of 393-151 and made it to the annual NCAA “March Madness” Tournament 16  times. Demopoulos then went on to serve as the head coach of Kansas City Roos in 2000. 

Making his NBA debut in 2001, Demopoulos served as an assistant coach with the Seattle  Supersonics under Nate McMillan before becoming a part of the Portland Trail Blazers coaching  staff in 2005. After five seasons in Portland where he coached players like Greg Oden, Lamarcus  Aldridge and Brandon Roy, he was then hired by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2010 where he  served for three years and coached NBA all-stars, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.  Demopoulos left the Clippers in 2013, and later signed on as the head coach of Melbourne  United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) in 2015. He led the team to an  undefeated record as Melbourne finished the season in first place. Following his time in the NBL,  Demopoulos became an assistant coach in the NBA G League for the Grand Rapids Drive (Detroit  Pistons affiliate) during the 2018-19 season. 

“I am excited to return to Saskatchewan,” said Dean Demopoulos. “Great opportunity to run it  back and compete at a higher level. Everyone is excited for the new season and challenge.” 

“I felt it was a priority for us to get Dean to return to lead the team in 2023 after the tremendous  job he did in completely turning around the direction of the team.” said Rattlers General  Manager, Barry Rawlyk “He established a culture where the team competed night in and night  out, developing a culture of comradery around the team. I repeatedly heard fans comment how  much they enjoyed the team’s competitiveness and style of play, so it was vital for us to have  some continuity at the top, and hopefully we can continue to build on that momentum from last  season.”

The 2023 CEBL schedule is set to release before the end of January 2023. The Saskatchewan  Rattlers play at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. All tickets can be purchased at the  Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. 

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) 

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian  players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 roster being Canadian Players bringing experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the  Canadian National program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have  moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players have  attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL runs from May through  August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram,  Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube. 

For more information on the Saskatchewan Rattlers professional basketball team - visit therattlers.ca.