Aris Appoints Bogdan Karaičić as New Head Coach

Aris BC has reached an agreement with Bogdan Karaičić to take over as the head coach of the team. The Thessaloniki club's primary target for the coaching position was Željko Obradović's assistant at Partizan, and both sides have now officially shaken hands, bringing the 40-year-old Serbian coach to Greece.

Coaching Profile

Bogdan Karaičić, born on July 31, 1984, in Titovo Užice, Serbia, is a highly regarded coach with a career spanning two decades. He has steadily built his reputation through various roles across Europe and is currently also on the bench of the Armenian National Team.

Career Journey

Karaičić began his coaching career in 2004. His early experience included youth coaching with Hørsholm 79ers in Denmark from 2009-2010, before progressing to assistant coach (2010-2011) and then head coach (2011-2013) for the same club. He then served as head coach for FOG Næstved from 2013-2016.

His move to higher-profile roles began with Lokomotiv Kuban (2017-2020) in Russia, where he worked as an assistant and had an interim head coach stint in 2019, contributing to a Russian Cup victory in 2018. He then served as an assistant for Crvena zvezda in 2020 and Mega Basket in 2021.

Since 2021, Karaičić has been a key member of Željko Obradović's coaching staff at Partizan Mozzart Bet, playing a crucial role in their successes, including winning the ABA League twice (2023, 2025). Most recently, in 2025, he also held an interim head coach position at Partizan, leading them to a Serbian League championship.

Aris is now moving forward with its planning for the upcoming season, with the appointment of Karaičić as head coach being a pivotal step in their strategic vision.

Dragan Sakota Returns to AEK for Fourth Tenure

Dragan Sakota, the celebrated coach who led AEK Betsson to its last Greek Championship title in 2002, is making a triumphant return to the club for a fourth tenure. AEK's management announced Sakota's return, highlighting his historical achievements and strategic importance to the team's future.

In a statement, AEK Betsson BC welcomed Sakota back to the "home" he holds dear, signing him to an indefinite contract with the club. "The coach of 3+1 titles (1 Greek Championship, 1 BCL, 1 Greek Cup as Coach + 1 Intercontinental Cup as Sports Director) returns to his 'Home.' Dragan Sakota will once again lead the 'Queen,' aiming to restore normalcy and success to the team."

Strategic Role and Future Plans

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Sakota will assume the role of Sports Director from the following season, overseeing the strategic planning and development of AEK Betsson BC. This dual role underscores the club's trust in Sakota's vision and leadership.
Experience and Achievements

Sakota's coaching career spans multiple countries and decades, with significant achievements in both domestic and international basketball. His previous tenures with AEK (2001-2003, 2014-2015, 2017-2018) were marked by impressive successes, including winning the Greek Championship in 2002, the Basketball Champions League in 2018, and the Greek Cup in 2018.

Panathinaikos fired Sasa Djordjevic

Panathinaikos fired Sasa Djordjevic. The Serbian coach was released by the Greens after the third defeat by Laboral Kutxa for the Euroleague 2015-2016 Play Offs. Djordjevic agreed terms with Panathinaikos in June 2015 with the goal to bring back the team to the Euroleague Final Four.
Panathinaikos finished second in the Basket League 2015-2016 regular season, did not manage to qualify in the Euroleague 2015-2016 Final Four and only won the Greek Cup. Besides the Serbian coach, some of his preferred players like Kuzmic and Pavlovic will probably won't continue with Panathinaikos.

Sasha Djordjevic is Panathinaikos BC new coach

Aleksandar Sasha Djordjevic (Александар "Саша" Ђорђевић) agreed terms with Panathinaikos BC. The Serbian coach will remain head coach of the National Team of Serbia and will receive about 800.000 euros per year for his contract with the Greens. Djordjevic will try to bring back Panathinaikos to Euroleague Final Four and Greek Championship.

AEK signed Dragan Šakota as head coach

AEK signed Dragan Šakota as head coach. The 62 years old Greek-Serbian coach returns to AEK after 11 years. Šakota started his coaching career in Yugoslavia for IMT Beograd, Zadar and Cibona before moving to Greece for PAOK, Apollon Patras, Iraklis, Peristeri, AEK and Olympiacos. In 2005 he returned to Serbia for Red Star and after two years he moved to Italy for Fortitudo Bologna and Turkey for Trabzonspor and  Antalya Büyükşehir Belediyesi. In 2006, Šakota coached the Serbia and Montenegro national basketball team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. Dragan Šakota will coach his son Dušan Šakota, who is currently the best player of AEK.