Quick Facts
Biography
Jama Mahlalela (born 1980) is a Swazi-Canadian basketball coach, currently the head coach for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League.
Career
University of British Columbia
Mahlalela played basketball for the UBC Thunderbirds. He played for five years, served as a team captain, and helped the team win a Canada West title in 2003. Mahlalela graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Kinesiology from UBC and the Jama Mahlalela Award was created in his honour.
Toronto Raptors
Mahlalela started with the Toronto Raptors in 2006 as a member of the community development staff, leading the Raptors Basketball Academy and various clinics throughout Canada. He was named director of basketball operations for NBA Asia in 2009 and oversaw the League’s clinics, youth programs and elite-level development from his base in Hong Kong.
Mahlalela began his tenure as an assistant coach in the 2013–14 NBA season.
Raptors 905
On June 19, 2018, Mahlalela was named as the new head coach for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League.
Personal life
Mahlalela ran many youth basketball organizations while he was with the Raptors. He has also worked for NBA Cares. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology.