For Immediate Release - January 18, 2022
The Guelph Nighthawks have renewed the contract of Head Coach and General Manager Charles Kissi for the upcoming 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.
Coach Kissi led the Nighthawks to their second consecutive playoff appearance in 2021 and will return for his fourth season with the club.
Charles Kissi oversaw a rebuild of the Nighthawks roster leading into the 2021 season. Kissi’s free agent signings were highlighted by point guard Cat Barber, who was named to the All-CEBL Second Team in 2021 and was recently signed to a 10-day contract with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. Kissi followed the signing of Barber by acquiring NBA G-Leaguer’s Ahmed Hill, Chad Brown, and Michael Bryson, along with former NBA draft selection and Canadian Justin Jackson.
While the Nighthawks struggled to start to the 2021 season following the early departures of Justin Jackson and Chad Brown to NBA summer camps, Coach Kissi oversaw a resurgence at the end of the season, leading the Nighthawks to a strong finish with three wins in the team’s final four regular season games to qualify for the CEBL playoffs.
“Charles is one of the best and brightest Canadian coaches in professional basketball. His leadership has led to back-to-back playoff appearances for the Nighthawks, while also guiding the development of our players to new opportunities overseas, in the NBA G-League and the NBA. Now is the time for our club to take the next step in our evolution. We are excited to see Charles return, continue to build on the foundation he created here in Guelph, and guide the Nighthawks to Championship Weekend in 2022,”
said Nighthawks President Cameron Kusch.
Kissi is currently coaching with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G-League, the affiliate team of the Indiana Pacers. Following the conclusion of the G-League season Kissi will rejoin the Nighthawks for the 2022 CEBL season. Prior to joining the Pacers organization Kissi spent two years with the Toronto Raptors as lead assistant for their G-League affiliate Raptors 905.
“I cannot express how excited I am to be returning to Guelph for the 2022 season,”
said Charles Kissi.
“To be able to compete once again in a traditional 20-game regular season, in front of our fans, will be energizing for the community, our organization, and the league. I want to thank our President Cameron Kusch for the trust, honesty, and respect that defines our relationship and for the opportunity to be back leading basketball operations for the Nighthawks. We have been building something special within this organization that is foundational to achieving the ultimate peak of bringing a championship to Guelph. Nighthawks fans, its time. See you in May!”
The Nighthawks are preparing for the opening of free agency on February 1st, as Charles Kissi and the basketball operations staff start to construct the roster for the 2022 CEBL season. It is expected that in early February the 2022 regular season schedule will be released, and Season Ticket Memberships will go on sale to the general public. To secure your seats ahead of public on-sale, $50 deposits for Season Ticket Memberships are available now.
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