Kyle Julius

Kyle Julius
London Lightning
Position Head coach
League NBL Canada
Personal information
Born (1979-09-20) September 20, 1979
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Nationality Canadian
Listed height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Career information
College
Career history
As coach:
2014–2015 Mississauga Power
2015–present London Lightning

Kyle Julius (born June 20, 1979) is a former Canadian professional basketball player, currently serving as the head coach for the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL). A former Canadian men's national team player, Julius has been considered one of Canada's most experienced and talented basketball minds. Julius also teaches his training tips and basketball experience through short articles published on NorthPoleHoops.[1]

Early life and career

Julius was born on June 20, 1979 and brought up in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He grew up playing ice hockey, a very popular sport in the area. However, his interest in basketball grew, and in eighth grade, he began training with Lakehead University's star point guard John LaPlante. He often did two-a-days under LaPlante's direction and was inspired by his work ethic. In ninth and tenth grade, Julius began training frequently with the Lakehead basketball team. In turn, he got into fights on numerous occasions.[2] In his senior season of high school basketball, Julius played with Cathedral High School in Hamilton, Ontario. The team finished the year with an undefeated record and he helped them win the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) AAA title in 1998 under coach Mark Walton.[2][3] Julius averaged 14.0 points for the Gaels that season, shooting .500 on field goals and .480 from beyond the arc.[4]

In his childhood, Julius did not have access to an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team in Thunder Bay. However, he constantly received advice from his father, Stu Julius, who coached college basketball in the area. Stu would often examine film and study the game with his sons.[2] Kyle said that it became a part of his everyday life, and a majority of his conversations with his father concerned the game of basketball.[2] He wrote on North Pole Hoops, "My dad opened the gym and my mom pushed me, basketball was our foundation and the game was my life."[2]

Collegiate career

On April 10, 1998, Julius signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play with the Furman Paladins men's basketball team, which played at the NCAA Division I level. Paladins head coach Larry Davis approached Julius primarily because of his ability as a three-point shooter.[4] Davis commented on Julius, "He is an outstanding shooter who has excellent overall guard skills and a tremendous worth ethic, and he has played in one of the best high school programs in North America with a perennial winning tradition."[4] Julius became Furman's fifth recruit for the team's 1998–99 season.[4] He later considered it one of his favorite moments of his entire career.[5] Julius made his first appearance on the collegiate stage on November 14, 1998 against Stetson, helping the Paladins win the game, 66–59.

Coaching career

Mississauga Power

On August 18, 2014, the Mississauga Power of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) officially announced the hiring of Julius as their new head coach.[6] However, the team folded upon the creation of the NBA Development League team, Raptors 905.[7]

London Lightning

On August 19, 2015 it was announced that Julius would be the third head coach for the London Lightning of the NBL Canada. He returned to the team after playing two games for them in 2011. The previous Lightning head coach, Carlos Knox, had been fired in the earlier weeks after he hid positive drug tests from player Jonathan Mills.[8][9] Julius said, "London is an amazing city with some of the best sports fans in the country. I can't wait to get started and pour my soul into making the city and organization proud."[9]

Personal

Julius is a well known figure in Canadian basketball community. As the founder of A-Game Hoops, which is a highly successful off season, in season and post season basketball training system, Julius has trained and developed over 250 athletes, including 30 NCAA D1 scholarship athletes and 23 professional players. Julius has worked with various players such as former Toronto Raptor Andrea Bargnani, 2011-2012 NBL All-Star and former Power guard Tut Ruach, and Superman himself, 2013-2014 All-Star Power guard Alex Johnson. Julius is also the Head coach for A-Game Hoops' Men's Developmental Team, which he has coached to an impressive 55-11 since 2007.[10]

Accomplishments and awards

Julius had excelled as a player before founding his basketball development program. His career accomplishments as a player include:

References

  1. ↑ http://northpolehoops.com/author/kyle-julius/#.VCbyevldXfI
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Julius, Kyle. "My Name is Kyle Julius and Basketball is in My Blood". NorthPoleHoops.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "Power Announce Kyle Julius as Head Coach". PowerBasketball.ca. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Canadian Wing Guard Kyle Julius Becomes Fifth Furman Basketball Recruit". Furman University. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  5. ↑ "Exclusive Interview with Kyle Julius". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  6. ↑ http://www.mississauga.com/sports-story/4764656-power-hire-new-coach/
  7. ↑ "NBL commissioner says league can survive loss of Mississauga Power". Toronto Star. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "London Lightning set to name Kyle Julius head coach". The London Free Press. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  9. 1 2 "LONDON LIGHTNING WELCOME COACH KYLE JULIUS TO CLUB". LightningBasketball.ca. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  10. 1 2 http://www.powerbasketball.ca/coach Retrieved 27 September 2014.
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