David Joseph (basketball) facts for kids

David Joseph is a Canadian basketball coach. He used to be an assistant coach at Centennial College. Before coaching, he was a college basketball player. He was even named Canadian College Player of the Year in 1982. He also won a national championship with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. David Joseph has almost 30 years of experience coaching basketball. He has coached at high school, college, and professional levels.

Early Life and Becoming a Basketball Star

David Joseph was born in Trinidad and Tobago. He moved to Canada in the 1970s when he was 12 years old. His family settled in Scarborough, Ontario. At first, David played soccer. But a friend introduced him to basketball, and he quickly fell in love with the sport.

High School Success

David went to Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute and later Jarvis Collegiate Institute in Toronto. He became a star basketball player for the Jarvis Bulldogs. His team started winning many games in the Toronto high school league in 1978. Even though he was just under 6 feet tall, David was known for his amazing dunking ability. He was a very athletic guard. Toronto Raptors broadcaster Paul Jones played against David in high school. He said David was "a smart player, a good defensive player, a scorer." Paul Jones even thought David's sons, Cory and Devoe, might not have beaten their dad in high school!

College Achievements

David Joseph attended the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. He led his team, the Trojans, to win the 1981–82 CCAA national championship. For his great play, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Canadian College Player of the Year. He earned a degree in civil engineering.

He also played basketball at Mount Royal College. There, he met his future wife, Connie, who was on the women's basketball team. David also played in a summer league at George Brown College. This league had many top Canadian players, including those who played overseas or for the Canadian national team.

Studying Sports Management

David decided he wanted to become a coach. So, he went to the University of Guelph and earned a degree in sports management. While playing for the Guelph Gryphons, he was named an OUA West First Team All-Star in 1984–85.

Coaching Career Highlights

David Joseph has coached basketball for many years at different levels.

High School and College Coaching

From 1987 to 1989, David was the head coach at Centennial College. He led the Colts to win a silver medal in the OCAA in 1988.

From 1991 to 1999, he coached at Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute. His team, the Saints, won eight Toronto city championships. They also won back-to-back Ontario provincial championships in 1995 and 1996. David also coached at his old high school, Jarvis Collegiate Institute.

Later, from 2003 to 2008, he was an assistant coach at Pickering High School. The Trojans won five league championships and back-to-back Ontario provincial championships in 2007 and 2008.

Professional Coaching

David Joseph started coaching professionally in 2011. He became the head coach of the Oshawa Power in the National Basketball League of Canada. He could only coach two games because of his job at Centennial College. He then stayed with the team as an assistant and player development coach.

He became head coach again for the 2013–14 season when the team moved to Mississauga. Even though the team finished in last place, they won a special "wild card" game and made it to the playoffs. After that season, he continued coaching at Centennial College until 2016.

Youth Basketball

David Joseph also coaches young players at summer basketball camps. These camps are held in the Greater Toronto Area.

Family Life

David Joseph married Connie, and they settled in Pickering, Ontario. They have four children: Chantal, Danielle, Devoe, and Cory.

His youngest son, Cory, plays in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors. His son Devoe plays professional basketball in Europe. David coached both Devoe and Cory when they played together at Pickering High School.