By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Brazilian Basketball Confederation, CBB, announced that Aleksandar Petrovic has decided to step down from his position as the head coach of the senior national team of the country.
Petrovic, 62, assumed the head coaching role in 2017. He since guided his side to the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Brazil ranked 13th in China. Under his guidance, the Brazilians also qualified for the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup and participated in the recent FIBA Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Croatia.
He recently took over Unione Sportiva Victoria Libertas Pallacanestro as the new head coach of the Italian team. He eventually decided to focus exclusively on the club level opting to depart the Brazil national team.
“After four wonderful years on the bench, I think it is time to leave. I am leaving with pain in my heart for not qualifying for the Olympic Games. I think that a new stage has arrived for Brazilian basketball. I want to wish good luck to the Brazilian Confederation, the players, the technical staff, the fans, everyone. I leave great friends, for me, they were four unforgettable years. Thank you, all very much and good luck, in the future,” he said via a video posted on the official Instagram account of CBB.
“I want to thank him for these important years here. He had a firm hand when necessary and he was also like a father to many athletes when he had to be,” added Confederation president Guy Peixoto commenting on the departure of Petrovic.
The CBB is actively searching for the next head coach as Brazil is set to collide with Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile in Group B of the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers. The national team will face Chile on November 25 to start its bid to advance to the second round through one of the top three spots of the group.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL