Kyle Julius

Early life and career

Julius was born on June 20, 1979 and brought up in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He grew up playing ice hockey, a very popular sport in the area. However, his interest in basketball grew, and in eighth grade, he began training with Lakehead University's star point guard John LaPlante. He often did two-a-days under LaPlante's direction and was inspired by his work ethic. In ninth and tenth grade, Julius began training frequently with the Lakehead basketball team. In turn, he got into fights on numerous occasions. In his senior season of high school basketball, Julius played with Cathedral High School in Hamilton, Ontario. The team finished the year with an undefeated record and he helped them win the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) AAA title in 1998 under coach Mark Walton. Julius averaged 14.0 points for the Gaels that season, shooting .500 on field goals and .480 from beyond the arc.

In his childhood, Julius did not have access to an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team in Thunder Bay. However, he constantly received advice from his father, Stu Julius, who coached college basketball in the area. Stu would often examine film and study the game with his sons. Kyle said that it became a part of his everyday life, and a majority of his conversations with his father concerned the game of basketball. He wrote on North Pole Hoops, "My dad opened the gym and my mom pushed me, basketball was our foundation and the game was my life."

Collegiate career

On April 10, 1998, Julius signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play with the Furman Paladins men's basketball team, which played at the NCAA Division I level. Paladins head coach Larry Davis approached Julius primarily because of his ability as a three-point shooter. Davis commented on Julius, "He is an outstanding shooter who has excellent overall guard skills and a tremendous worth ethic, and he has played in one of the best high school programs in North America with a perennial winning tradition." Julius became Furman's fifth recruit for the team's 1998–99 season. He later considered it one of his favorite moments of his entire career. Julius made his first appearance on the collegiate stage on November 14, 1998 against Stetson, helping the Paladins win the game, 66–59.

Julius was named to the NCAA SOCON All Rookie team, a major accomplishment for a freshman form Canada at that time

Mississauga Power

On August 18, 2014, the Mississauga Power of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) officially announced the hiring of Julius as their new head coach. However, the team folded upon the creation of the NBA Development League team, Raptors 905.

London Lightning

On August 19, 2015 it was announced that Julius would be the third head coach for the London Lightning of the NBL Canada. He returned to the team after playing two games for them in 2011. The previous Lightning head coach, Carlos Knox, had been fired in the earlier weeks after he hid positive drug tests from player Jonathan Mills. Julius said, "London is an amazing city with some of the best sports fans in the country. I can't wait to get started and pour my soul into making the city and organization proud."

Julius lead the London Lightning to the Championship in his 2nd season. He set 14 records during this historical season. Julius built the most successful team in the history of the league in only his 3rd year coaching.

Julius spent two seasons with the Lightning, taking them to the league finals both years. Last year the Lightning lost to Halifax in seven games. The next season, London defeated Halifax in six games. Julius orchestrated two of the best years that the London Lightning with an overall 61–19 regular season record and a 21–8 mark in the playoffs. In the 2016–17 season, London broke their own league record for most wins in a single season with 35. They had 33 in 2012–13, the last time they won the NBL Canada championship. However, during the playoff, Julius informed team owner Vito Frijia that he was leaving the Lightning after the playoffs concluded.

International

3D Global Sports Canada is bringing back the Boys in Red to compete in one of the worlds most prestigious international basketball tournaments, the '39th William Jones Cup'. Held annually in Taipei City, Taiwan, since 1977, the tournament was named in honour of one of the founders of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), basketball promoter Renato William Jones. The tournament is an Asian Cup that is officially covered by Eurobasket and televised internationally in many Asian, Oceanic and Middle-Eastern countries. 3D Canada is proud to welcome Kyle Julius as the new Head Coach for the 39th William Jones Cup. Kyle was a former National Canada Senior team player and also an all-Canadian athlete at the University of Guelph. As a Head Coach, Kyle was recently named the 2017 Head Coach of the Year in the National Basketball League of Canada where he made history and set league records. Some of his accolades include: 17 Game Wining Streak. Most Wins with a 35-5 record in a NBL-Canada season. Winning the 2017 Championship with the London Lightning. Kyle Julius has developed a pristine reputation as one of Canada's best basketball skill and development instructors. He has developed over 50 Canadian High School players who went on to earn NCAA DI scholarships. Furthermore, he has trained over 100 professional players including multiple NBA players such as Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Olynyk, Anthony Bennett, Kevin Pangos and Andrea Bargnani, and to further mention, has helped train 67 Canadians currently playing professionally in Europe. Kyle continues to grow and evolve into one of Canada's top professional Coaches. One thing that cannot go unnoticed is his ability to truly develop and recruit players like Royce White, whom together, won a NBL-Canada Championship with the London Lightning. Kyle's determination, dedication and discipline to the sport of basketball (3D's founding principles) will strongly impact his coaching experience internationally and the 3D Global Sports Canada program.

3D Canada Wins the 39th William Jones Cup

Kyle Julius leads 3D Global Sports Canada as they are Crowned Champions at the 39th William Jones Cup

It's been 21 years since the National Basketball team of Canada won the William Jones Cup. In July 2017, 3D Canada traveled back to the future and made history by winning the 39th William Jones cup in dominant fashion, finishing the tournament with a record of, 8 wins and 1 loss. 3D Canadian players and staff received the opportunity to compete against prestigious basketball clubs such as the Smart Gilas Pilipinas led by national team head-coach Chot Reyes (Philippines) and Vytautas Prienu (Lithuania) led by legendary coach, Virginijus Seskus. The 3D program competed against national federation programs representing countries: South Korea, Japan, India, Iran, Iraq, and the Chinese Taipei (Republic of China).

Personal

Julius is a well-known figure in Canadian basketball community. As the founder of A-Game Hoops, which is a highly successful off season, in season and post season basketball training system.

Kyle Julius has developed a pristine reputation as one of Canada's best basketball skill and development instructors. He has developed over 50 Canadian High School players who went on to earn NCAA DI scholarships. Furthermore, he has trained over 100 professional players including multiple NBA players such as Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Olynyk, Anthony Bennett, Kevin Pangos and Andrea Bargnani, and to further mention, has helped train 67 Canadians currently playing professionally in Europe. Kyle continues to grow and evolve into one of Canada's top professional Coaches. One thing that cannot go unnoticed is his ability to truly develop and recruit players like Royce White, whom together, won a NBL-Canada Championship with the London Lightning. Kyle's determination, dedication and discipline to the sport of basketball (3D's founding principles) will strongly impact his coaching experience internationally and the 3D Global Sports Canada program.

Julius is also the Head coach for A-Game Hoops' Men's Developmental Team, which he has coached to an impressive 55-11 since 2007.

Accomplishments and awards

Julius had excelled as a player before founding his basketball development program. His career accomplishments as a player and coach to date include: