
Ontario Basketball Announces 2026 Team Ontario Head Coaches
Bramble, Kirnon, Salhia and Osei to lead province’s top U15 and U17 athletes into 2026 high performance season
WHITBY, ON – December 15, 2025 – Ontario Basketball (OBA) is delighted to announce the 2026 head coaches for its Team Ontario U15 and U17 boys’ and girls’ programs:
* U15 Boys – Head Coach: Tyrone Bramble
* U15 Girls – Head Coach: Jahlica Kirnon
* U17 Boys – Head Coach: Yoosrie Salhia
* U17 Girls – Head Coach: Lee Anna Osei
Team Ontario is Ontario Basketball’s flagship high performance provincial program, identifying and developing top athletes from across the province to represent Ontario in elite domestic competition, including the Canada Basketball National Championships each summer.
“These four coaches embody what Team Ontario stands for: competitive excellence, character, and a genuine commitment to athlete development,” said Kyle Johnson, Technical Lead, High Performance, Ontario Basketball. “Their experience and leadership will not only help our athletes perform at a high level but also support them as students and people. We are confident this group will set a strong tone for the 2026 high performance season.”
U15 Boys – Head Coach: Tyrone Bramble
Coach Tyrone Bramble will lead the U15 Boys program in 2026. A long-time presence in Ontario’s high-performance landscape, Bramble has extensive experience developing youth and high school athletes and helping them transition to the next level of play.
“Representing Ontario is a privilege and responsibility,” said Bramble. “With our U15 group, we’ll build a foundation of discipline, defence and unselfish play. My goal is that every athlete leaves this program better prepared for the next step in their basketball and personal journey.”
U15 Girls – Head Coach: Jahlica Kirnon
Jahlica Kirnon will serve as head coach of the U15 Girls program. Known for her work in the girls’ and women’s game in Ontario, Kirnon brings a teaching-first approach that emphasizes skill development, confidence and communication.
“I’m excited to work with this age group because it’s such a critical stage in a young athlete’s development,” said Kirnon. “We’ll challenge our athletes to compete fearlessly, communicate clearly and support one another. If we can build those habits now, they will pay off for years to come.”
U17 Boys – Head Coach: Yoosrie Salhia
Yoosrie Salhia takes the helm of the U17 Boys program. With a background in both playing and coaching at high levels, Salhia is recognized for his ability to teach the game in detail while maintaining a team-first culture.
“At the U17 level, athletes are starting to see what’s possible in terms of post-secondary and national team opportunities,” said Salhia. “Our staff will demand a high standard every day—how we practice, how we prepare and how we represent Ontario. If we commit to doing the right things consistently, the results will follow.”
U17 Girls – Head Coach: Lee Anna Osei
Lee Anna Osei will lead the U17 Girls program. A prominent coach and builder in the women’s basketball community, Osei is known for her leadership, advocacy and success in developing female athletes on and off the court.
“Team Ontario is a powerful platform for young women to see themselves as leaders,” said Osei. “We’ll play with pace, toughness and togetherness, but we’ll also focus on accountability, academics and character. Wearing ‘Ontario’ across your chest means you are representing something bigger than yourself.”
“Team Ontario remains a critical piece of Ontario Basketball’s high-performance pathway,” added Johnson. “With this coaching group, we are well-positioned to deliver a 2026 program that is competitive, inclusive and aligned with our long-term vision for basketball in this province.”
Details on 2026 Team Ontario tryouts and competition schedules will be shared on Ontario Basketball’s website and social media channels.
###
About Team Ontario
Team Ontario is Ontario Basketball’s provincial high performance program for U15 and U17 male and female athletes. The program identifies, develops and showcases top talent from across Ontario through a comprehensive training and competition schedule, including participation in the Canada Basketball National Championships. The long-term goal of Team Ontario is to help athletes progress to post-secondary opportunities and Canada’s national team pathway.
About Ontario Basketball
Ontario Basketball (OBA) is the governing body for basketball in the province of Ontario. A non-profit organization, OBA works with member clubs, coaches, officials, schools and community partners to deliver safe, inclusive and developmentally appropriate programming from grassroots through high performance. Ontario Basketball is a proud member of Canada Basketball.