By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Dallas Mavericks are moving towards hiring Igor Kokoskov as an assistant coach according to multiple reports. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer first reported that the Mavericks are “targeting” Kokoskov and Marc Stein tweeted that Dallas is “progressing in its attempts” to add the Serbian coach and prompt a reunion between him and two-time NBA All-Star Luka Doncic.
In 2017, Kokoskov coached Doncic during Slovenia’s undefeated march to winning the EuroBasket championship for the first time ever. Under Kokoskov, a then-18-year-old Doncic had brilliant run (14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists) in the competition and made the All-Tournament team, together with MVP Goran Dragic.
Kokoskov is currently under a contract with Turkish EuroLeague powerhouse Fenerbahce Beko that runs through 2023. Last season Fener made the playoffs following a 15-4 turnaround in the second leg of the EuroLeague regular season but was then swept by CSKA Moscow amid injury issues and multiple COVID-19 cases (including Kokoskov).
In May 2018 and after several stints on NBA teams as an assistant, Kokoskov became the first European-born head coach in the league by signing with the Phoenix Suns. He was fired almost a year later.