By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Assuming head-coaching responsibilities, Massimo Cancellieri takes over PAOK mateco for the next season. The Greek club announced the new head coach on Sunday.
With the list of participating teams in the next edition of the Basketball Champions League pending, the Greek club potentially featuring for a fourth year in a row would resurface Cancellieri. The Italian play-caller previously coached French clubs SIG Strasbourg and Limoges CSP in the top-tier club continental competition of FIBA Europe.
Earlier coaching experience was focused on his home country. Jobs as a head coach included Agricola Gloria Montecatini, Veroli, Angelico Biella, and Ravenna. However, working as an assistant for EA7 / Emporio Armani / AX Armani Exchange Milan over six years, from 2013 to 2019 under Luca Banchi, Jasmin Repesa, and Simone Pianigiani, stands out from a long list.
In the 2023-24 installment of the Champions League, Cancellieri guided Strasbourg from the Qualification Round to the Regular Season and from there to the Round of 16. A 2-4 record in Group I fell to the wrong end of a three-way tie with Tofas and Cholet, sending the Bursa outfit to the Quarterfinals. Meanwhile, PAOK was eliminated by Tofas in a Play-In series, between the Regular Season and Round of 16.
Emerging as the latest addition for fellow BCL side Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari, 20-year-old Italian forward Luca Vincini penned a three-year contract. Expanding his career, he will debut in the Champions League and Italy’s LBA UnipolSai.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League