025 15UB Team AB Coach Bios
15U Boys Head Coach: David Kapinga
Head Coach - MacEwan University Men’s Basketball (2025-Present)
David Kapinga brings elite playing experience and a strong commitment to athlete development to his role as Head Coach of Alberta’s 15U Boys team. A proud Calgary native, David is a highly respected coach and mentor with a deep passion for growing the game across the province.
David has coached at multiple levels of the game, including:
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Head Coach - MacEwan University (2025-Present)
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Head Coach - Olds College (2024-2025)
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Assistant Coach - University of Calgary (2022-2024)
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Assistant Coach - Cape Breton University (2020)
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Player Development & Scout Coach - Calgary Surge (2023)
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He has also led and developed athletes through club basketball since 2014 and has worked as a player development coach since 2021.
His provincial experience includes serving as Head Coach of Team Alberta’s 15U Boys in 2024, where he continues to inspire and challenge young athletes to reach their full potential.
David is no stranger to competing at the highest levels. As a player, he led the University of Calgary Dinos (2015-2019) and represented Team Canada at both the FISU Games (2016) and the Commonwealth Games (2017).
His coaching philosophy is built on unity, pride, and purpose:
“I want to coach Team Alberta because I’ve always wanted to be part of something that represents more than just one school or program. Coaching this team means standing for the entire province—uniting the best players in Alberta and competing on a national stage with a shared sense of pride and purpose. It’s an opportunity to work with the top talent in the province, to challenge myself against some of the best up-and-coming coaches in the country, and to grow through that level of competition. Most importantly, it’s a chance for me to give back and represent the province that has given me so much, both personally and professionally.”
We’re proud to have Coach Kapinga lead our 15U Boys program as he helps shape the next generation of Alberta’s basketball talent.
15U Boys Assistant Coach: Cole Wijeyaratnam
Cole Wijeyaratnam is a dedicated Edmontonian whose decade-plus coaching journey spans every level of the game—from grassroots and junior/senior high-school teams to club, provincial, and post-secondary programs. Growing up in Mill Woods, he developed a deep love for basketball and a keen interest in the connection between sport, community development, and social empowerment.
Coaching Highlights Include:
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Assistant Coach - Team Alberta 15U Boys (2024)
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Apprentice Coach - Team Alberta 15U Girls (2023)
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Volunteer Coach - Team Alberta 15U Girls (2022)
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More than ten years guiding athletes across Edmonton in school, club, and high-performance settings, with a special focus on building inclusive pathways that make competitive and recreational basketball accessible to all.
“Basketball is in a unique moment of exponential growth in the province and country. Being part of the efforts to support Team Alberta is not only an exciting opportunity, but meaningful to me as it aligns with my professional goals. I aim to have Team Alberta become a step in the premier pathway for long-term athlete development as athletes continue to find success in the program and go on to fulfill their basketball dreams; ultimately representing Canada on the world stage.”
We’re thrilled to have Coach Wijeyaratnam bring his community-minded leadership and inclusive vision to our 15U Boys program.
15U Boys Assistant Coach: Jhony Verrone
Jhony Verrone brings a competitive edge and a wealth of multi-level coaching experience to Alberta’s 15U Boys program. Originally from Montréal, Québec, Jhony has spent the past decade shaping athletes in Calgary’s club, high-school, and university systems.
Coaching Highlights:
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Interim Head Coach - University of Calgary Dinos Women’s Basketball (2025)
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Assistant Coach - University of Calgary Dinos Men’s Basketball (2023-2025)
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Head Coach - Develop Club (High-School Boys & Girls, 2014-Present)
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Head Coach - William Aberhart HS Senior Girls (2021-2022)
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Apprentice Coach - Team Alberta U15 Boys (2024)
Playing Background:
Driven by competition and continuous improvement, Jhony thrives on working with high-calibre athletes and testing himself against the nation’s best.
“It’s an opportunity to coach the best talent in the province and to go against the best in the nation. To be challenged in that way can only lead to growth and improvement for both myself as a coach and the players involved. I love to compete and do what it takes to become a winner, and I want to help instil that in the next generation.”
We’re excited to have Coach Verrone add his high-energy, winning mindset to the 15U Boys coaching staff, guiding Alberta’s rising stars toward success on the national stage.
