By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Luis Scola-owned Varese is very close to a deal with two-time NBL champion Chase Buford to become the team’s new head coach according to Prealpina. Buford, the son of San Antonio Spurs CEO R.C. Bufford, will be working in Europe for the first time in his career if the deal is finalized.
Prealpina specifically says that “barring a surprise”, Buford will take over Varese and succeed fellow U.S. coach Matt Brase.
Buford spent the last two seasons coaching the Sydney Kings in the Australian NBL League. He led the team to the back-to-back championship titles of 2022 and 2023 before parting ways with the club in May to explore opportunities to coach in the NBA.
Prior to his stint in Australia, Buford debuted as head coach with the Wisconsin Herd in the G League. He was previously an assistant at the Erie Bayhawks and the Delaware Blue Coats.
Scola, an NBA veteran and EuroLeague legend, has been the CEO of Varese since 2021 when he retired as a player of the team. In 2022, the Argentinian great became the majority owner of the Italian club.
Photo: NBL