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Former Packer star named head coach of Brandon U women's team

Former Steveston Packer great Novell Thomas is the new head coach of the Brandon University women's basketball team.

Former Steveston Packer great Novell Thomas is the new head coach of the Brandon University women's basketball team.

Thomas is a one-time member of the Canadian men's national basketball team, a former professional basketball player, and a graduate of Simon Fraser University, where he still holds school records for career assists and single-season assists. Thomas has spent the past six years as an Associate Producer for Interactive Entertainment, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts Canada Inc. (EA Sports).

He has coaching experience at various levels, including high school teams, provincial teams, and as an assistant at the CIS level (Canadian Interuniversity Sport).

"I'm tremendously excited for the opportunity," said 1993 Steveston graduate. "I look forward to getting to know the players and getting an understanding of their current mindset moving forward. In terms of coaching, I lean slightly more to the defensive side of things, but I always want my players to focus on execution."

Thomas will officially begin his coaching duties with the Manitoba school on March 23.

"We're thrilled that Novell will be the new face of Brandon University's women's basketball team," says Russ Paddock, BU's acting Athletic Director. "He brings a tremendous blend of basketball knowledge and experience. Novell is extremely well-respected in basketball circles and we think he will do an excellent job."