Cheng heading Lakers men’s basketball

Nipissing University has scored a thunderous slam dunk with the hiring of Chris Cheng as head coach of the Lakers men’s basketball team.Cheng brings an impressive resume to the newly announced Lakers basketball program. He is currently the manager of youth player development for Canada Basketball, a position he will maintain while heading up the Lakers’ program. Cheng has also worked as an assistant coach with the men’s varsity basketball team at York University. He was the head coach of Ontario’s U17 Boys Provincial team, and guided them to an impressive 14-1 National record, and a 7-2 international record.  For four years he served as the Center for Performance coach at the Ontario Basketball Association. Cheng won back-to-back National Championships in 2011 and 2012 as head coach of Team Ontario. He has coached numerous elite-level players, including Anthony Bennet, the first overall draft pick in the 2013 NBA draft, and Cory Joseph, current NBA player.  In 2011, he was named Ontario Basketball Inaugural Men’s Elite Coach of the Year.
“Having a coach of Chris Cheng’s stature gives immediate credibility to our new program,” said Nipissing University President, Dr. Mike DeGagné. “The university is completely confident in Chris’ ability to build a high-quality and competitive program here, while working with our student-athletes to help them achieve their potential and exceed expectations both on and off the basketball court. This is a very exciting time for the university and the city.”
“I’d like to thank the university and the hiring committee for believing in me. I’d also like to thank all of my previous coaches, managers and players at Canada Basketball and Ontario Basketball who have helped me get to where I am today. I’d also like to thank the coaches, support staff and athletes I worked with at Humber College and York University. This is a terrific opportunity for me to build a program of excellence for Nipissing basketball,” said Cheng. “In everything I do, I strive for excellence and I believe deeply in the power of hard work, teamwork, patience, discipline, sacrifice and perseverance in building a program.  My goal is to blend the talents and strengths of individuals into a team that is far greater than the sum of its parts and to help our student-athletes achieve more than they thought possible on the court, in the classroom and in their personal lives. I look forward to being part of this incredible city and university.  This is an exciting time for all, especially our future student-athletes.”
“I look forward to Chris joining our staff”, said Vito Castiglione, director of athletics at Nipissing. “He is an excellent leader who possesses strong values that are consistent with Nipissing University and Nipissing Athletics.”
“From the perspective of Nipissing’s students, we are thrilled to announce a coach that brings such an impressive background to the team,” said Kayla Fitzsimmons,Nipissing University Student Union president.  “We are looking forward to packing the new gym to cheer on Chris and our Lakers basketball teams. Welcome coach Chris and go Lakers!”
“Having high quality elite-level basketball teams at Nipissing University is a tremendous positive for the citizens of North Bay,” said North Bay Mayor, Al McDonald. “I’d like to welcome Chris to the city and say how proud we are that he has chosen our city and our university to offer his impressive coaching experience and build a winning program for our entire city to enjoy. I have no doubt that there are young basketball players right now in our city who will see this team of student-athletes as role models, and who will be inspired to make sport and academics a significant part of their life.”
The university expects to announce the coach of the women’s basketball team in the near future.