Associate Coach Massey Rejoins Rattlers Head Coach Demopoulos For a Second Season

Tanner Massey will return to work with head coach Dean Demopoulos for a second straight season as the Saskatchewan Rattlers associate coach.

The South Carolina product has been on the coaching staffs of several N-C-Double-A, N-A-I-A and N-B-A G-League teams and has spent the winter months in Finland. Following is the news release from the Rattlers…..

The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Tuesday that Tanner Massey will return to the coaching staff as the Associate Head Coach for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.

Massey helped lead 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. After the 2022 CEBL season, Massey travelled to Finland to join the BC Nokia coaching staff in top level league, Korisliiga. Massey is currently coaching Rattlers fan-favorite Malik Benlevi.

“Tanner is one of the up-and-coming young coaches in the game. We are extremely fortunate to have him return to our coaching staff for 2023.” said Rattlers General Manager, Barry Rawlyk “He has demonstrated a great technical knowledge of the game, and brings a wealth of international, NBA G League, and CEBL coaching experience. Tanner is a person that relates well to players. He is an integral part of the continuity that we are trying to maintain from last year, he will help us carry momentum into the upcoming season.”

Tanner Massey, a native of South Carolina coaching numerous NCAA, NAIA, and NBA G League teams. He served as a graduate assistant coach with the University of South Alabama, a video coordinator with the University of South Carolina, and an assistant coach with Union College. While in the NBA G League, he was an assistant coach with Erie Bayhawks, Northern Arizona Suns, and Capital City Go-Go. Massey joined the coaching staff for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The Orlando Magic finished as runner-ups in 2015, and took the NBA Summer League Championship in 2016. In 2017, he was hired as an assistant coach by the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japanese B League. Massey credits his time in Japan to exposing him to a new style of play and reinforcing the importance of team-oriented basketball.

Massey made his CEBL debut in 2021 serving as assistant coach of the Fraser Valley Bandits (now Vancouver Bandits) helping lead them to the CEBL Championship Weekend with an exit in the semifinals.

“I am excited to return to the city of Saskatoon and further build on what we did as a team last summer,” said Tanner. “Thank you to Brad, Barry, and Coach Dean for bringing me back and I appreciate the alignment that we have forged. I am excited to see our fanbase again and I look forward to help put together a high quality basketball experience for them again this summer.”

General public and returning season ticket members can claim their seats for the entire Rattlers 2023 season by using Account Manager. Season tickets include 10 home games and one playoff game, starting at $363 (All courtside row 1 offers are sold out). Half season tickets include five home games, starting at $175. All tickets can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office(306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. Single game tickets will be available later this spring. For more seating options, suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive.

Associate Coach Massey Rejoins Rattlers Head Coach Demopoulos For a Second Season

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