Building the Future: ONTARIO BASKETBALL NAMES CLAUDE NEMBHARD AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Board of Directors, on behalf of Ontario Basketball, is proud to announce the hiring of Claude Nembhard as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. Nembhard brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to the organization, having previous experience as a coach and administrator.
Nembhard joins OBA, an organization he is familiar with, having spent time as a board member from 2019-2024. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also served as Interim Executive Director, supporting the organization through the pause in basketball activities. Prior to this, he spent 20 years working as a senior financial advisor. Nembhard has been involved in the community as a professor at Centennial College, and has coached with MUMBA, IEM, YNBA, UPLAY, Vaughan Secondary School and St. Andrew’s College. Most recently, he worked for the York Catholic District School Board as a Black Excellence Coach. Nembhard graduated from York University with a double degree in Accounting and Economics.
“I am honored to lead Ontario Basketball into its next chapter,” said Nembhard. “The sport of basketball has seen tremendous growth in recent years, and I am excited to contribute to its continued development in our communities.”
The organization also welcomes Deepan Vigneswaran (thee-ben vig-ness-var-an) as Vice President of Business Operations. Vigneswaran joins the organization with extensive experience in optimizing organizational performance holding both a Masters of Law and a CPA designation. Vigneswaran excels in strategic planning, financial management and fostering collaborative environments. In recognizing firsthand the profound impact of sport, he is thrilled to champion basketball among Ontarians and is excited to join a highly skilled team dedicated to inspiring the next generation of Canadian talent in basketball.
The hiring of Vigneswaran and Nembhard were made after an exhaustive search conducted by Dunstan Consulting on behalf of Ontario Basketball.
Ryan Xavier, President of the Ontario Basketball board, expresses excitement about the appointment, stating, “It’s an exciting time for basketball, not only in this province but the country. OBA are the leaders in grassroots development in Canada, and I am thrilled that with the hiring of Nembhard, we will be able to elevate this organization to new heights.”
Xavier continued “on behalf of the OBA Board and the entire organization, I want to personally thank Mike Barbin on his leadership during our transition. Barbin stepped up to be Acting Executive Director and ensured that the organization continued to operate without disruption. Barbin will continue to work with the organization in a new role as Vice President, Basketball Operations.”
As part of Ontario Basketball’s new strategic direction, the organization is also reinstating the Provincial Advisory Council, whose main objective is to foster the growth of the game in the province. The committee consists of many notable individuals including, Michael Bartlett, President and CEO of Canada Basketball; Shamus Bourdon, Executive Director OFSAA; Jonathan Chang, CBC Sports; Ray Chateau, President of Etobicoke Thunder; Gord Grace, CEO of OUA; Paul Jones, Toronto Raptors Radio; Mike Morreale, CEBL Commissioner and Tony Simms, Canadian Olympian.
“Canada Basketball is excited to continue collaborating with the Ontario Basketball Association and all our Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization partners across Canada,” said Michael Bartlett, President and CEO of Canada Basketball. “With Claude and his staff, we will continue to work together to achieve our shared ambition of developing athletes, coaches, and officials while ensuring the game of basketball is the most unified, inclusive and safe sport in Canada.”
Ontario Basketball is also excited to announce the appointment of new board member, Jamaal Magloire. Magloire will assume the spot on the OBA Board left vacant by Nembhard. Magloire played in the NBA for 12 years and upon retirement, moved into a player development role with the Toronto Raptors. He is currently the Vice President of the CEBL’s Scarborough Shooting Stars. He is also the President of the Jamaal Magloire Foundation and Band Leader of the Toronto Revellers.
About OBA: Ontario Basketball (OBA) is the governing body for basketball in the province of Ontario. A member of Canada Basketball, OBA is the largest provincial basketball organization in the country. OBA is a non-profit entity and receives financial support from the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. The organization was incorporated in 1977, but its history dates to over 80 years ago.
Contact:
Anthony Bennett
Assistant Director, Marketing and Communications,
Ontario Basketball
Email: abennett@basketball.on.ca