1. Howard James "Jay" Triano was born on September 21,1958 and is a Canadian basketball coach and former professional player who is currently the associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association.
18 Facts About Jay Triano
1. 2.
Jay Triano previously served as the head coach of the NBA's Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns.
3.
Jay Triano is of Italian descent through his great-grandfather, who landed on Ellis Island, then made his way to Welland, Ontario.
4.
Jay Triano's younger brother Jeff was a draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, after playing OHL hockey for the Toronto Marlboros.
5.
Jay Triano was drafted in the eighth round of the 1981 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, but was cut during training camp and never played in the NBA.
6.
Jay Triano was a national team player from 1977 to 1988, captained the team from 1981 to 1988, and played in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.
7.
Jay Triano led the Canadian team that won Gold at the 1983 World University Games in Edmonton, Alberta, defeating the United States in the semi-finals, which was led by Karl Malone and Charles Barkley, and Yugoslavia in the final, led by Drazen Petrovic.
8.
Jay Triano played three seasons of professional basketball, two in Mexico and one in Turkey.
9.
Jay Triano attempted to recruit high school star Steve Nash and later served as his mentor.
10.
In 1998, Jay Triano became the head coach of the Canadian men's national basketball team.
11.
Jay Triano served under Lenny Wilkens, Kevin O'Neill, and Sam Mitchell.
12.
In 2004, Jay Triano was fired as national team head coach, and replaced by Leo Rautins the following year.
13.
In 2008, Jay Triano was named an assistant coach for United States national team.
14.
On December 3,2008, Jay Triano was named interim head coach of the Raptors after Mitchell was relieved of his coaching duties.
15.
Jay Triano became the first Canadian-born head coach in NBA history and first Canadian head coach in NBA history.
16.
On May 12,2009, Jay Triano was given a three-year deal to remain head coach of the Raptors.
17.
On July 27,2016, Jay Triano was hired by the Phoenix Suns as associate head coach.
18.
On July 2,2018, Jay Triano was hired by the Charlotte Hornets as an assistant coach.