Adeel Sahibzada has been promoted to full-time assistant coach with the Simon Fraser University men’s basketball program, Head Coach Steve Hanson announced.
Sahibzada, who joined the program last year in a part-time role, brings over a decade of playing and coaching experience to SFU. Sahibzada spent the past five years as an assistant at Chicago State, Daytona State and Ryerson University.
“Adeel will bring his tremendous passion, love of the game, and a relationship-based approach to coaching and caring for our student-athletes,” said Hanson. “He understands how precious opportunities can be and he will ignite appreciation, service and excitement for studying and representing SFU in basketball.”
Known for his player development, Sahibzada has worked with some of the top players in Canada over the years. “His experience coaching at every level – U Sports, junior college, club and NCAA—has fostered relationships across the continent and will help us become a national title contender,” said Hanson.
“I am beyond grateful for the trust and faith Coach Hanson has in me and in my ability to mentor the young men in our program,” said Sahibzada. “He was the first to believe in me and recognize my true potential. Coach Hanson has been extremely instrumental in my growth, both personally and professionally, and this opportunity is truly a blessing. There is a level of personal pride and honour to ‘Rep The Leaf’ and to coach Canada’s only NCAA team. This feels like a dream come true. I look forward to continuing the growth of our program and building a national championship contender.”
Working alongside head coach Roy Rana, Sahibzada helped the Ryerson Rams to a second-place finish in the U Sports Championships after placing second in the OUA Championship both years. The 2017 Rams tallied a 39-15 record. At Daytona State, Sahibzada recruited multiple difference makers for the nationally ranked Falcons who finished the season 25-7.
As an athlete, Sahibzada played CIS (U Sports) Basketball with the UNB Varsity Reds and University of Waterloo Warriors. A career laced with injuries led Sahibzada into coaching. To grow and drive Canadian talent, he founded the Toronto Basketball Academy, DeenUP Athletics, and the Bigger Than Basketball preparatory teams. He led these efforts as the head coach between 2012-2018. He led the TBA, in particular, to a 30-16 record in the past two years.
An avid learner, Sahibzada has his Bachelors and Masters in Political Science. He completed Teachers College in Florida and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Pedagogy.
Story Courtesy: Steve Frost – Associate Director Marketing & Communications ([email protected])
