TORONTO — When GLOBL JAM 2025 starts on Wednesday, it won’t just represent a homecoming for some of the athletes stepping onto the court.

Among those embracing the opportunity to compete on home soil will also be Dave Smart, who’ll serve as the Canadian men’s under-23 head coach for the showcase tournament from Aug. 13-17.

For the 59-year-old Smart — widely regarded as one of the most decorated Canadian college basketball coaches ever, having amassed over 650 victories while leading Carleton University to 13 U Sports national championships through 18 seasons — it’ll be his first time coaching for the red-and-white since moving to the NCAA ranks, where he now helms the University of the Pacific men’s program.

All of which has been part of a winding journey that’s led the Kingston, Ont. n

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