Nate Mitchell was announced Wednesday as the head coach of the Legends. The Toronto native joins the Legends after serving as the head coach of the Guangzhou Loong-Lions in the Chinese Basketball Association for the last two years.

Mitchell is the 10th head coach in the Legends’ team history and replaces Max Hooper, who was not retained by the Mavericks after one season as the Legends’ coach. Hooper spent four seasons as an assistant and head video coordinator with the Mavericks prior to his installation as Legends coach in 2025.

Like the Mavericks are starting a new era under new coach Dusty May, the Legends will begin a new chapter under the tutelage of Mitchell, who also plays a key role as an assistant on the Canadian senior men’s national team. He’s coached for his native country since 2016 and was an assistant coach during the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup, helping lead the team to a historic bronze medal — the first medal at a men’s World Cup in program history.

Mitchell previously served as the Canadian senior men’s national team head coach at the 2022 FIBA Men’s AmeriCup in Brazil, where he led the team to a fourth-place finish, their highest standing in the tournament since the FIBA Americas Championship for Men in 2009. He also coached Canada’s U23 Men’s national team at GLOBL Jam in 2022 and 2023.

Mitchell arrives in North Texas with NBA experience as well, coaching with the Charlotte Hornets (2018-21), Toronto Raptors (2021-23) and Milwaukee Bucks (2023-24) long before his G League beginnings with the Maine Red Claws and Raptors 905. He’s also helped promote the game internationally with his involvement in Giants of Africa and Basketball Without Borders, initiatives he shares with new Mavericks president Masai Ujiri.

The Legends finished with a record of 14-22 last season, placing 10th in the Western Conference. Mitchell’s new opportunity also comes with the responsibility of coaching three of the Mavericks’ two-way players this season: John Poulakidas, Jett Howard and Tobi Lawal, the 48th overall pick of the 2026 NBA draft.

Mitchell’s first test as Legends coach will begin with the team’s season opener in Mexico City on Nov. 8.