The roster may continually be in flux but there will be some coaching continuity with the Canadian men’s basketball now until the start of the 2019 World Cup.

With the second phase of qualifying beginning next week in Montreal, long-time national team program and Ryerson University coach Roy Rana will handle the head coaching duties.

Jay Triano, about to begin a new job with the Charlotte Hornets, is still the head coach by title but with too many commitments with his NBA position and the scheduling of the qualification games, his duties have been passed to Rana.

“I’ll be coaching right through until we’re done in February,” Rana said Monday.

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Rana coached one two-game set with the senior team in the first qualification window and has extensive experience with age-group teams representing Canada. He was the head coach of the junior team that won a world championship in 2017 and he’s been a key cog in the system for years. It’s a logical move to expect him to take more responsibility with the senior team now that it’s needed.

“None of this has ever been a goal of mine, I just want to do whatever we have to do to qualify,” he said. “If that means I have step up and help, I’ll give it my best shot.

“I don’t know if it’s a personal goal or more a goal of all of us. I’ve lived with these kids since they were very, very young. We’ve been dreaming this dream together and for me to get a chance to lead is pretty special.”

Canada will play Brazil in Laval, Que., on Sept. 13 to start the second phase of World Cup qualifying and then plays in Chile on Sept. 17. There are games in Brazil and Venezuela in November before the final two in Canada against Chile and Venezuela in February, 2019.

Carrying over a 5-1 record from the first series of games, and with at least three teams from the second round group qualifying for the worlds in China, Canada is in good shape to return to the world championship for the first time since going 0-5 in Turkey in 2010.

However, a revolving door of players means Rana will have a basically whole new set of players next week that he had when he coached the senior team last winter.

Six players with NBA ties — Cory Joseph, Kelly Olynyk, Tristan Thompson, Khem Birch, Dillon Brooks and Justin Jackson — are on the roster announced by Canada Basketball on Monday. They’ll be joined by a dozen of players with varied experience in the G League, Europe and U Sports system.

“Obviously it’ll be a unique blend of NBA guys, guys who are just starting their career, some U Sports kids,” Rana said. “It’s nice to see our community continue to build and represent.”

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Roster:

Joel Anthony, Montreal, San Lorenzo Basket (Argentina); Trae Bell-Haynes, Toronto, Fraport Skyliners (Germany); Aaron Best, Toronto, Raptors 905 (G-League); Khem Birch, Montreal, Orlando Magic; Dillon Brooks, Mississauga, Memphis Grizzlies; Manny Diressa, Toronto, KK FMP (Serbia); Melvin Ejim, Toronto, BC UNICS (Russia); Joel Friesen, Abbotsford, B.C., London Lightning (NBL Canada); Brady Heslip, Burlington, Fraport Skyliners (Germany); Justin Jackson, Toronto, Orlando Magic; Cory Joseph, Toronto, Indiana Pacers; Kaza Kajami-Keane, Ajax, Landstede Zwolle (Netherlands); Kyle Landry, Calgary, Alta., Buducnost (Montenegro); Duane Notice, Woodbridge, BM Slam Stal (Poland); Kelly Olynyk, Kamloops, B.C., Miami Heat; Kevin Pangos, Newmarket, FC Barcelona Lassa (Spain); Dyshawn Pierre, Whitby, Banco di Srd (Italy); Tristan Thompson, Brampton, Cleveland Cavaliers.

With files from The Canadian Press

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