Marauder now the top Bandit
Niagara Falls native Peter Guarasci has been named the head coach and general manager of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Fraser Valley Bandits. Photo by Cary Mellon, UBC Okanagan Sports Information.
A former A.N. Myer Marauder has been named the head coach and general manager of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Fraser Valley Bandits.
Former national team member Peter Guarasci, a 44-year-old father of three, was named to the position Jan. 29.
“I was lucky enough to have played professionally for a while and played internationally and I have always wanted to coach at this level,” said Guarasci, who played NCAA Division 1 basketball at Fairfield for two seasons before moving to Simon Fraser where he became a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ All-American in 1996. “To have this opportunity within my own province was hard to turn down and it’s not that far of a commute.”
The former head coach of the University of British Columbia Okanagan and assistant at Simon Fraser, the University of Alberta and MacEwan University lives in Kelowna, which is about a three-hour drive from the Rapids’ home in Abbotsford.
“It will be trial by error and we will see how it goes,” he said. “To be away from my kids will be tough, but my wife and I are going to make it work.”
There are many other features about the CEBL that Guarasci likes.
“The fact that the league is mandated that each team has seven Canadians, I am a big fan of that,” he said. “I know how hard it is for Canadians to continue to develop after their university days.
“That’s a major piece of our roster and I was really supportive of that.”
The rules for the CEBL are that seven of the 10 roster spots have to be filled by Canadian players and an 11th spot has been reserved for players who are returning to Canadian university (U Sports) action when the CEBL season ends.
“I also like the people behind the league,” the former national team member said. “It seems like there’s some good minds who have been involved in sports in Canada for quite some time and they seem like they have the right vision.
“They have taken everything into account and they are very organized in terms of their business model and approach.”
Guarasci is busy assembling his team for the start of the season May 9 against visiting Guelph.
“The most important thing is to reach out to the players who would potentially be on your roster,” he said.
That list includes British Columbia-based players who play overseas or in North America and return to the province in the spring.
“There has been a ton of contact with athletes to find out what their interest level is and do they have time to commit to the team,” said Guarasci, who played pro in Germany, Spain and Italy. “It’s really feeling out the landscape in terms of what’s out there and how they fit with this club.”
Like Niagara coach Victor Raso, the 2000 Olympian is taking the approach that every athlete is a free agent until the league holds its draft.
“It’s an open market and it’s a whole lot different than recruiting in university,” he said. “You had so many other variables to consider, but now it’s are they the right fit and can you financially find an agreement that makes sense for both parties.
“It’s a big pool of players to go through, but you have to make sure you make as many contacts as you can.”
Guarasci has a clear picture of the type of team he wants to build.
“The way basketball is played these days, you really have to look at versatility on both ends of the court and that is probably the most aesthetic way to play as well,” he said. He’s looking for players who can play multiple positions and make decisions using a high basketball IQ.
“As a player, I always had my emphasis more on the defensive end and that will probably the same with this team in terms of looking at being a bit more detail-oriented defensively,” said Guarasci, who was top 10 in blocks in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in both his years at Fairfield.
His coaching style in the CEBL will reflect the team he assembles.
“You have to build your roster as strong as you can within your means and then you are going to adapt and coach,” he said. “I want my team to be versatile and I want to have good average size on the team, one through five.”
Guarasci has plenty of coaches who have helped and mentored him along the way. On that list are: Myer coaches Bob Coull and John Ruscitti; Simon Fraser coaches Scott Clark and Jay Triano; and, Basketball Ontario provincial coach Peter Campbell.
“I am probably missing some names here but those are the guys who come to mind when I think about who has really helped me get to the stage I am at now.”
Bandits president Lee Genier, is thrilled to have the Niagara Falls native in charge.
“Guarasci’s addition is a testament to the CEBL’s bright future,” he said. “He is a community-first leader that believes in creating a lasting impact for players and fans that extends well beyond the game of basketball.”
Guarasci has likely already circled May 31 on his calendar. That night, the Bandits will play the River Lions at the Meridian Centre.
“I’m super excited,” he said. “You guys have a great coach; Vic Raso is great person, high character and an excellent basketball mind.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into Southern Ontario, competing against him, seeing my family and have them come out and watch our team compete.”
