YORKTON - The Saskatchewan Rattlers recently announced Larry Abney has been named as the fourth head coach in franchise history.
Abney is the current associate head coach with the Ontario Clippers of the NBA G League, affiliate of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers. His resume includes 13 years as a professional basketball player (2000-12) and a six-year stint as Player Development Coach for the Los Angeles Clippers (2017-22).
Abney told Yorkton This Week the Rattler position was not something he had actively been seeking. But, when a friend suggested the spot in the Canadian Elite Basketball League would be a good fit the idea started to percolate.
So when Rattler General Manager, Barry Rawlyk called, and then flew south to meet with Abney the pieces fell into place.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to secure Larry as our Head Coach for the 2024 season. He came highly recommended for his expertise in working with players, his wide scope of experience, and his deep connections in the basketball world,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk in a Rattler press release. “When I flew down to interview him, beyond all of those things what struck me most was his character, charisma, energy, and how he was able to clearly articulate his plan of success for this upcoming season. He is an outstanding person and will be well-respected by the players, staff, media, and most importantly, our fans.”
Abney admitted the CEBL and its FIBA rules will mean a period of adaption after spending the last half down years-plus coach American/NBA rules, but he added has international exposure on the resume, having spend time in 12 countries overseas. He was named Dutch Basketball League All-Star (2009), All-NBL Second Team (2007), All-NBL First Team (2006), USBL All-Rookie Team (2000), and won the Dutch Cup with Eiffel Towers Den Bosch in 2009.
It no doubt helped that Abney was familiar with the CEBL, as he is currently coaching CEBL-MVP Xavier Moon, and 2020 Rattlers signing Armoni Brooks.
“It will be a learning experience all the way around. . . It will definitely take some time getting used to (again),” he said, adding in that regard he will be turning to others with the Rattlers to lend a hand, especially early on this season. “I’ll really be relying on the staff that we have.”
The reliance on staff is already taking place as Abney and the Rattlers are in the hunt for talent to ink contracts to play in Saskatoon this season.
“Barry’s (Rawlyk), been great,” offered Abney, adding they collectively have a single goal. “. . . We’re trying to put together the best possible roster.”
In the CEBL having a top roster means having Canadians who can contribute since there is a mandated number who need to play.
“That’s very big,” said Abney, adding that while he has been cramming in terms of watching film on potential Canadian players it is an area Rawlyk and others will be critically important.
When it comes to players, Abney has a vision of what he wants to see, ones “who go out and really play hard.” While skills are needed a good work ethic can win games too.
The Rattler coach also wants players who take pride in the logo on the front of the jersey.
“It’s about what we are as a team,” said Abney.
Abney said it all becomes a process that focuses on growing as a team.
“We may not be the best team at the start of the season . . . We’re not going to win the championship the first night,” he admitted, but quickly added the goal is to be the best at the end of the schedule.
“Growth gets us to that point,” said Abney, who suggested that is one of his strengths as coach, a willingness to let other coaches and even players contribute ideas focused on making team better. “They’re all going to be able to contribute.”
The goal is simple, a return to the top of the CEBL for a Rattler franchise that is one of the six original teams in the league, and the team which won the 2019 inaugural season championship.
