The Saskatchewan Rattlers had their most successful Canadian Elite Basketball League season in 2022, since the C-E-B-L’s inaugural season of 2019, and the Snakes will have their head coach return for 2023.

Veteran N-B-A assistant coach and U-S College head coach Dean Demopoulos was announced Monday as coming back to guide the Rattlers in 2023. He led Saskatchewan to an 11-9 record, including a league-best 8-2 home court log, and fifth place in the 10-team C-E-B-L. The Snakes then ousted the two-time defending champion Edmonton Stingers 94-91 in a play-in game before falling 108-96 to the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the quarter-finals. The Rattlers and the C-E-B-L are expected to release their 2023 schedule before the end of this month. Following is the news release from the Saskatchewan Rattlers…..

Rattlers Announce Return of Veteran NBA Coach 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.