Murphy Burnatowski, the head coach of the University of Victoria Vikes men’s basketball team, is taking his coaching career to the international stage as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2025 Globl Jam.
The event runs from Aug. 13 to 17 in Toronto and features under-23 teams from around the world. Globl Jam, which started in 2022, is an emerging platform that gives young basketball talent a chance to compete internationally.
“Globl Jam continues to redefine what’s possible for international basketball on Canadian soil,” said Michael Bartlett, president & CEO of Canada Basketball. “It’s not just a tournament – it’s a launchpad for the next generation of global stars and a rare chance for our hometown heroes to play on home soil."
This year, Canada’s U23 men’s team will face top squads including the Georgetown Hoyas from the United States, Brazil, and Japan.
Burnatowski, 34, joins a coaching staff led by Canadian basketball legend Dave Smart. Fellow assistants include Jamie McNeilly, Charles Hantoumakos, Kalisha Keane, and Myck Kabongo.
The Canadian roster features notable players such as Xaivian Lee, who recently transferred to the reigning NCAA champion Florida Gators. Lee averaged 16.9 points, 5.5 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game last season with Princeton.
For Burnatowski, the Globl Jam represents another important step in his career.
A former collegiate player, he spent two seasons at the University of Maine before transferring to Colgate University. At Colgate, he was a two-time All-Patriot League team member and served as a two-year captain.
Burnatowski is a familiar figure on the Canadian basketball scene, having represented the men’s national program at junior, university, and senior levels. His most recent international experience came in 2017 at the Americup in Argentina.
In 2025, he was named Canada West and U Sports Coach of the Year after leading the Vikes to an undefeated 20-0 season and a U Sports National Championship in March – all in his first year with the school.
Canada opens the Globl Jam tournament on Aug. 13 against Brazil, followed by a matchup against the Georgetown Hoyas on Aug. 14, and finishes round-robin play against Japan on Aug. 15.
The Canadian women’s team will also compete, facing Puerto Rico, Texas Longhorns, and Brazil.
