Coaches

Coaches

Vidal Massiah​

Vidal grew up in downtown Toronto and attended Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute, where he had a dominant high school career. After receiving numerous NCAA Division 1 scholarship offers, Vidal accepted a full athletic scholarship to St. Bonaventure University. After a four year career at St. Bonaventure Vidal graduated with a degree in marketing and began playing professionally throughout Europe. He was also a member of the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team and served as captain for two years.

Through Vidal’s experiences in North America and Europe, he has compiled a great deal of knowledge on how to prepare and train for basketball. He is the epitome of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. His gift for training and the passion he demonstrates in each and every training sessions has proved to be a recipe for success, not only in basketball but in life.

Vidal’s role, aside from taking care of player training and development, is to act as a bridge between our athletes, their families, and college coaches interested in building relationships with them. Vidal uses his playing/coaching experience and networks to help build a brand of student athletes university coaches want to recruit, and help parents and players make informed decisions throughout that process.

Vidal currently serves as executive director of the program and 17u head coach.

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Vidal Massiah

Jordan Pollard

Jordan is an NCCP level 2 certified coach with 9 years of coaching experience in the Ontario Basketball Association. He has a passion for the game and combined with his networking abilities and drive for developing and training players has led to a successful coaching career at youth levels. In 2015, Jordan joined the Northern Kings assisting with the 16U team, he has also spent time as the head coach for the Tyndale Talons women’s college team. Jordan is excited to bring a basketball cultured environment and competitive coaching experience to Northern Kings 14u team. Jordan, a Scarborough native, resides in Ajax with his wife and 3 children working as a Fraud Analyst.

Jordan is the head coach of the 14u team.

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Jordan Pollard

Karim Grant

Karim enjoyed a successful football career, being named a three-time Atlantic University Sport (AUS) All-Conference member as a linebacker and defensive end. After graduating Karim was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger Cats and also spent time in the Atlanta Falcons organization. Karim has a passion for helping youth, he is a youth and community worker in Scarborough, and has made a positive impact in many at-risk youth’s lives. Karim currently coaches football and basketball at the high school level, along with volunteering his time at the AAU level in the spring and summer. Karim’s philosophy is to provide a safe, caring and competitive atmosphere for his players to grow from young boys into men.

Karim serves as a community liason and 17u assistant coach.

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Karim Grant

Kiroh Peterkin

Kiroh attended Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute, where he won three Toronto city Championships and made an OFSAA AAAA finals appearance. In his senior season, he was selected a City of Toronto 1st team all-star. Upon graduating from Eastern Commerce, Kiroh moved on to Miami Dade Junior College and then played at NCAA Division II Tusculum College.

His playing experience had led to a passion for coaching and training high school athletes. His coaching experiences include years working at The Hoop Factory basketball camp as well as the Philadelphia 76ers basketball camps and The Atlantic Cape Camps. Kiroh currently works in film and entertainment as well as providing personal training services for basketball players at all levels.

Kiroh is a lead skills trainer for our program and 17u assistant coach.

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Kiroh Peterkin

Ahmed Bulaleh

Ahmed played for Centennial College from 2003-2005, which included a 5th place finish at the CCAA National Championships. Ahmed is a R.E.C.E. (Registered Early Childhood Educator) and also runs a successful business helping children develop a greater self-esteem in Sport Stacking.

Ahmed oversees all Jr. NBA programs and house league operations and is a 17u assistant coach.

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Ahmed Bulaleh

Jelani Matthew

Jelani played at Jean Vanier Secondary winning an AAA OFSSA gold and became a TDCAA 1st Team All-Star. In his 5th and final year of high school, Jelani transferred to Milliken Mills High School, where he became a York Region 1st team All-Star along with being nominated as a Nike “Rumble in the Tdot” All-Canadian. He then went on to further his education at Sheridan College, playing varsity basketball in 2007-2009 & 2010-2011. During his 3-year playing stint as a member of the Sheridan Bruins, Jelani managed to win 1 Ontario Gold, 1 Ontario Silver, and a 4th place at the CCAA National Championships, to go along with 1 OCAA first team All-Star and 1 OCAA second team All-Star.

When his playing career ended at Sheridan College, Jelani then played in the English Basketball League for Newham Neptunes (N.A.S.S.A) winning an National Cup bronze (First time a division 3 team has ever placed in cup play against BBL & EBL teams), and a National Shield Gold. Jelani now works as a Child and Youth worker for Toronto Community Housing and a Tween Program Coordinator for Eastview Boys and Girls Club.

Jelani is the head coach of our 15u team.

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Jelani Matthew

Management

Vidal Massiah

Vidal is a product of the Toronto area High School with a long history of producing some of the city’s best ball players, the Eastern Commerce Saints. He has built an impressive resume since graduating in 1998 and after considering a number of Division I scholarship offers, he attended St. Bonaventure University on a full athletic scholarship. After a four year career at St. Bonaventure Vidal graduated with a degree in marketing and began playing professionally throughout Europe.

Vidal continues to pursue his basketball dreams and had the honour of representing Canada as captain of the Senior Men’s National team for two years. Through Vidal’s experiences in North America and Europe, he has compiled a great deal of knowledge on how to prepare and train for basketball. He is the epitome of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. His gift for training and the passion he demonstrates in each and every training sessions has proved to be a recipe for success, not only in basketball but in life.

Vidal’s role, aside from taking care of player offseason training and development, is to act as a bridge between our athletes, their families, and college coaches interested in building relationships with them. Vidal uses his playing/coaching experience and networks to help build a brand of student athletes university coaches want to recruit, and help parents and players make informed decisions throughout that process.

Vidal Massiah

Cliff Sarmiento

Cliff has been a part of the King Nation Basketball family since 2010. His contribution to the founding years of The Hoop Factory development camps was such an integral part of its success that as King Nation grew, so had the importance of Cliff’s role with the company. He is now General Manager of the Northern Kings Academy youth rep program as well as Chief of Administration for the Northern Kings AAU Elite program.

As a graduate of Centennial College with a diploma in computer systems, he has obtained various managerial positions in his field. These experiences have been what lead him to branch out on his own to establish his own management company.

His current role with King Nation Basketball include management of the youth Academy team operations, program budget, scheduling and team travel. He also contributes to the yearly marketing campaign, coordinates sporting and social events. In addition to all he does for the King Nation Basketball family, he still makes time to be assistant coach to his sons Northern Kings Academy rep team.​​​​

Cliff Sarmiento

Ahmed Bulaleh

Ahmed played for Centennial College from 2003-2005, which included a 5th place finish at the CCAA National Championships. Ahmed is a R.E.C.E. (Registered Early Childhood Educator) and also runs a successful business helping children develop a greater self-esteem in Sport Stacking. Ahmed oversees all Jr.  programs, house league and NK Academy operations and is a 17U NK Elite assistant coach as well as Head Coach for the U13 North Academy team.

Ahmed Bulaleh

Michael Simonetta (Advisor)

Michael Simonetta is an entrepreneur who has a broad background of management, investment, and capital markets experience. Among his prior endeavours, Michael was the Co-Founder and CEO of an asset management firm which grew from a start-up to a large and diversified asset management firm. He was also a Founder and Vice-Chairman of a successful software company, Partner in a public accounting firm, and the CFO of a national retailer.

Michael is a Chartered Accountant by training and was a member of the National Honor Role when he, obtained his designation in 1984. He is a former Director of the Toronto Board of Trade and a member of World President’s Organization (WPO). Michael was the Gold Medal winner of the 1983 Bachelor of Arts (BA) graduating class of the University of Waterloo.

Michael’s primary responsibilities include fund raising, sponsorship development, administrative support and oversight as well as assistance with the placement of our players in appropriate prep school and collegiate schools.

Michael Simonetta (Advisor)

Rashay Jethalal (Advisor)

Rashay Jethalal is a financial services professional with a background in management consulting. He currently leads CIBC’s Global Banks team, which manages CIBC’s bank-to-bank relationships, as well as its trade finance and payment solutions. Previously, Rashay was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company and an Investment Banker with RBC Capital Markets.

Rashay holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia, an MBA from Insead and is a CFA charterholder. His primary responsibilities include strategy development and fund raising.

Rashay Jethalal (Advisor)

Norbert Knutel (Advisor)

Norbert Knutel is a lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP where his practice encompasses general securities law including wide range of corporate and commercial transactions and investment funds. Norbert holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto (2002) and an LLB from Queen’s University (2006).

Norbert has been involved in sports throughout his life including playing football at the university level and coaching. He remains passionate about sports and believes in the importance of sports in the lives of children. Norbert’s main responsibilities include legal matters and strategy development.

Norbert Knutel (Advisor)

Stephen Kangas (Advisor)

Stephen has spent over twenty years in the investment management business. He currently works with Manulife Capital Markets to design and issue publicly-listed investment funds. Previously, Mr. Kangas was President and CEO of a retail hedge fund management company and spent several years as an investment fund analyst with bank-owned broker-dealers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a Chartered Accountant and a CFA charterholder. His primary responsibilities include education and fund raising.

Stephen Kangas (Advisor)
TeamHead CoachEmailAst CoachEmailTMEmail
GR. 4 / U10 | AHMEDAhmed Bulaleh-Tanya Tuckey
GR. 5 / U11 | WAYNEWayne LordBen OjaraSheila Foronda
GR. 6 / U12 | TIMOLLMike TimollSonny OcenarChristine Dehaney
GR. 6 / U12 | RUDNICKDavid RudnickDwight ChambersLaurel Johnson
GR. 7 / U13 | NORLANDBrian NorlandSunday EniojukanKeith Liang
GR. 8 / U14 | FLORESMike FloresDarwin ValeraJerald Castillo
GR. 8 / U14 | PINEDAMike PinedaJeff DukeJoanne Bongoyan-Phillips
GR. 8 / U14 | KOLDENKolden Simmonds-Al Satchu
GR. 9 | LLOYDLloyd GrimesOmar MouradSheila Foronda
GR. 9 | WAYNEWayne LordDarwin ValeraSheila Foronda
GR. 9 | DAWSONSean Dawson--
GR. 10 | CRAIG/MARKCraig Brown-Jessica Momodu
GR. 10 | MARK/CRAIGMark Fergusson-May Kwong-Smith
GR. 11/12 | JEFFJeff DukeJanet Brown
GR. 11/12 | SAMY Samy Mohamed-Graham Zoppi
GR. 11/12 | JON / JAVONJon ClarkJavon Cummings-
GR. 8 / U14 | RICH/KARINAKarina Patterson-Sheila Foronda
GR. 9 / U14 | RICH/KARINARich Gallacher-Lyneshia Vieneer