He served as an assistant coach for the Fraser Valley Bandits in 2021 and helped them secure a semi-final birth at CEBL Championship Weekend. Massey will work under newly appointed Saskatchewan head coach Dean Demopoulos in the 2022 CEBL season.
A native of South Carolina, Massey has coached numerous NCAA, NAIA, and NBA G League teams. He served as an assistant coach with the University of South Alabama and Union College, and was a video coordinator with the University of South Carolina. While in the NBA G League, he served as an assistant coach with Erie Bayhawks, Northern Arizona Suns, and Capital City Go-Go. Massey also served as an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic during the NBA Summer League in 2015 and 2016. Orlando finished runners-up in 2015, and took the Summer League Championship in 2016. In 2017, Massey was hired by the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japanese B League, Japan’s top professional basketball league. He credits his time as assistant coach in Japan to exposing him to a new style of play and reinforcing the importance of team-oriented basketball.
“Tanner is an outstanding addition to our coaching staff as lead assistant coach”, said Rattlers general manager Barry Rawlyk. “He brings a wealth of college and NBA G League experience to the table, as well as having first-hand knowledge of the CEBL. He has an outstanding reputation in the area of player skill development which will be a big asset to all players on the roster. He will also play an integral role in helping to identify and recruit players to our roster”
“I am really happy to have Tanner as my lead assistant coach”, said Rattlers head coach Dean Demopoulos. “He has extensive experience in the NBA G League and spent last summer in the CEBL. He will be invaluable in all areas.”
The Rattlers will begin their 2022 CEBL season on May 25th at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
-Media Release, The Rattlers
