Landry and Waknuk join ABA as High Performance Program Leaders

Alberta Basketball Association (ABA) announces the addition of Kyle Landry and Dave Waknuk as High-Performance Program Lead (HPPL) for men’s and women’s programming, respectively.

In the newly created role of HPPL, Landry and Waknuk will oversee and facilitate ABA’s High-Performance programs and initiatives, which includes Team Alberta, the Canada Basketball Academy and Alberta ID Camps.

“I am thrilled to be adding these two positions in leadership roles within our High-Performance Development Pathway,” says Dave Drabiuk, ABA Executive Director. “Both Dave and Kyle come to us with extensive backgrounds in high performance basketball and will bring coaching and player development and high performance vision to this new position.”

Since 2018-19, Waknuk has held the position of women’s basketball head coach at the University of Lethbridge, amassing the second most wins in program history. He has guided the Pronghorns to the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, including two Canada West Final Four appearances.

A native of Spirit River, Waknuk previously spent six seasons as women’s basketball head coach at Grande Prairie Regional College (now Northwestern Polytechnic), where he won the ACAC championship and was named ACAC Coach of the Year in 2009-10. He has also coached the Canada Basketball 3x3 Women’s U23 National Team.  

Waknuk served as Team Alberta 17U Girls head coach at the Canada Basketball National Championships three times, winning silver in 2019 and bronze in 2022. He coached Alberta to a fourth-place finish in female basketball at the 2017 Canada Summer Games.  

"I'm honored to take on the role of HPPL, as Alberta Basketball has played a significant role in my basketball journey,” says Waknuk. “This opportunity allows me to further contribute to the growth and success of basketball in our province, and I'm excited to work with our talented athletes and coaches in Alberta to continue elevating the game."

Following a long and accomplished playing career, Landry returned to his hometown where he joined the staff of national championship-winning coach Dan Vanhooren with the University of Calgary men’s basketball team. He is now in his fourth season as lead assistant coach with the Dinos.

Landry played NCAA Division 1 basketball at Northern Alberta University and was named to the All-Big Sky First Team in 2008 before going on to play professionally in Europe. He represented Canada in several international competitions, including the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship and 2021 FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

At the 2003 Canada Basketball National Championships, Landry was top scorer and rebounder for the silver medal-winning Team Alberta 17U Boys. He also was part of Team Alberta as a 15-year-old in 2001.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to join Alberta Basketball,” says Landry. “I had a great experience playing when I was younger and hope I can help provide players with the same great experience that I had.” 

ABA is dedicated to increasing its focus on sport development and excellence through the creation and execution of programs and initiatives designed to increase the number of Alberta athletes on Canadian National teams.

The creation of the HPPL caps a tremendously successful 2024, during which Team Alberta won a record four bronze medals at the Canada Basketball National Championships, and 11 Albertans represented Canada in FIBA competition, including four Team Alberta alumni at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.