By George Efkarpides/ info@eurohoops.net
The deal was completed on Monday but the David Blatt era in Olympiacos is officially underway.
The American-Israeli coach returns to Greece after 8 years when he coached Aris BC and will now try to win the Euroleague with Olympiacos.
Now, the team will need to address the issues of the expiring contracts of Spanouls, Papanikolaou and Papapetrou.
Per the Olympiacos B.C. press release:
Olympiacos BC announces its agreement with David Blatt
The 59 year old coach will be sitting in our team bench for the next two seasons.
Τhe who is who of David Blatt
Date of birth: 22/05/1959
Place of birth: Βoston (USA)
Former teams (as a coach): Hapoel Galil Elion (1993-1999), National Selection of Israel-Under 22 (1996-1997) , National Selection of Israel (assistant coach 1997-2001), Maccabi Tel Aviv (assistant coach 1999-2001), Maccabi Tel Aviv (2001-2003), Maccabi Tel Aviv (2003-2004 assistant coach), National Selection of Israel (2004-2005), Dinamo St. Petersburg (2004-2005), Benetton Treviso (2005-2007), National Selection of Russia (2006-2012), Efes Pilsen 2007-2008, Dinamo Moscow (2008-2009), Aris (2010), Μaccabi Tel Aviv (2010-2014), Cleveland Cavaliers (2014-2016), Darusafaka (2016-2018).
Τitles
– European Champion with the National Selection of Russia in 2007
– Bronze medal in the 2011 Eurobasket with the National Selection of Russia
– Bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic Games with the National Selection of Russia
– NBA Eastern Conference Champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2015).
– Euroleague Champion (2014, Maccabi Tel Aviv).
– Israel Champion (2002, 2003, 2011, 2012, 2014, Maccabi Tel Aviv)
– Israel Cup Winner (2002, 2003, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
– Eurochallenge Champion (2005 – Dinamo St. Petersburg)
– Eurocup Champion (2018 – Darusafaka)
– Italian Champion (2006 – Benetton Treviso)
– Italian Cup Winner (2007 – Benetton Treviso)
– Adriatic League Champion (2012 – Maccabi Tel Aviv).
Personal accolades
– Euroleague coach of the year (2014)
– Israel coach of the year (1996, 2002, 2011, 2014)
– Russia coach of the year (2005).
– Three times coach of the month in the NBA Eastern Conference in 2015.
David Blatt’s first statement as Olympiacos BC coach
«I am happy and honored to be joining the Olympiacos team and family… the opportunity to become part of the great tradition of achievement and the history of great coaches and players is overwhelming… I see this challenge and chance and it fills me with pride and motivation to do my utmost to give the club and it special fans the very best part of me with the heart and soul that defines this organization. The team must evolve and grow and together with all the wonderful people in the program we will make this happen. And I can’t wait!!
For more EuroLeague news, click here!