Petar Aleksić Takes the Helm at Iraklis BC

Iraklis Thessaloniki has officially announced the appointment of Petar Aleksić as the head coach for the 2024-25 season. Aleksić, a seasoned coach with a wealth of experience and a track record of success in Switzerland and Germany, as well as on the European and international stages, is set to lead the team in their pursuit of their goals for the upcoming season.

Coaching Career Highlights

Petar Aleksić was born on November 2, 1968, in Trebinje. His long tenure in Switzerland led to him acquiring Swiss citizenship. Aleksić began his coaching career in 2004 with the Austrian team BBC Feldkirch Baskets, where he served as a member of the coaching staff until the end of the 2005-2006 season.

In the 2006-2007 season, he took the helm of Union Neuchâtel in Switzerland. The following year, he joined Alba Berlin as an assistant to Luka Pavicevic, celebrating the team's German Championship victory.

After continuing with Alba Berlin for the 2008-2009 season, Aleksić returned to Union Neuchâtel in the 2010-2011 season. He then spent two years with Monthey in Switzerland from 2011 to 2013 and also coached Switzerland's U20 national team in 2012.

From 2013 to 2023, Aleksić was the head coach of Fribourg Olympic, Switzerland’s most successful basketball team. Under his leadership, Fribourg Olympic won six championships (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), five cups (2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), three League Cups (2018, 2020, 2022), and four Super Cups (2016, 2020, 2021, 2022). Aleksić was named Switzerland’s Coach of the Year eight times (2011, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023).

His tenure at Fribourg Olympic also saw the team participate in the Basketball Champions League and the FIBA Europe Cup. Additionally, he served as the head coach of Switzerland’s men's national team from 2013 to 2016, guiding them to a notable victory over Russia during the 2015 EuroBasket qualification.

Playing Career

Before embarking on his coaching career, Aleksić enjoyed a 17-year playing career, competing for various teams across Europe. His playing career included stints with FMP Zeleznik (Serbia), Zalaegerszegi Torna Egylet Kosárlabda Klub (Hungary), Union Neuchatel (Switzerland), BBC Nyon (Switzerland), Leotar Trebinje (Bosnia), NAP Novi Sad (Serbia), KK Zagreb (Croatia), and JUG Dubrovnik (Croatia).

Massimo Cancellieri Appointed Head Coach of PAOK BC

PAOK BC has announced the appointment of Italian coach Massimo Cancellieri as the new head coach for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Cancellieri, a seasoned coach with extensive experience in top-level European basketball, will be the first Italian to take the helm at PAOK and the third to coach in the Stoiximan Basket League, following Andrea Mazzon and Luca Banchi.

Official Announcement

In an official statement, PAOK Mateco welcomed Cancellieri to the club, highlighting his impressive coaching background and achievements. "We are pleased to announce the agreement with Italian coach Massimo Cancellieri, who will lead our team for the 2024-25 season. Cancellieri brings a wealth of experience from the highest levels, having spent six years on the coaching staff of Armani Milano and the last three years as head coach in France with Limoges and Strasbourg."

Coaching Experience and Achievements

Massimo Cancellieri, born on July 24, 1972, in Teramo, Italy, recently concluded his tenure with SIG Strasbourg, marking the end of his three-year stint in the French league. His coaching journey began in 1994 with the youth teams of San Raffaele in Italy, and he quickly moved up the ranks, holding various coaching positions across prominent Italian clubs.

During the 2023-24 season with Strasbourg, Cancellieri's team finished 12th in the French league with a record of 15 wins and 19 losses. In the Basketball Champions League, Strasbourg topped their group in the regular season but were eliminated in the round of 16 due to a triple tie with Tofas Bursa and Cholet.

Cancellieri's extensive experience in European basketball and his proven track record of developing teams and achieving success make him a valuable asset for PAOK Mateco. The club's management expressed confidence in his ability to lead the team to new heights and welcomed him warmly into the PAOK family.

"Benvenute Coach Massimo! We look forward to an exciting and successful season under your guidance," the statement concluded.

Luca Banchi is the new head coach of AEK

Luca Banchi is the new head coach of AEK. The 53-year-old coach penned an one year contract with the Greek club and will be the first Italian coach in the club's history. Banchi has won two Italian championships, one with Siena in 2013 and one with Armani Milano in 2014. After Milano Banchi coached Auxilium Torino and in the last season he worked with Brose Bamberg where he replaced Andrea Trinchieri.

AEK agreed terms with Jurij Zdovc

AEK agreed terms with Jurij (Jure) Zdovc. The 49 years old Slovenian is the new coach of AEK, replacing Dragan Sakota. Zdovc signed a 2.5 years contract (1.5 + 1) until the summer of 2018.
Zdovc has played for Iraklis and Panionios in Greece, and was the coach of Iraklis in 2005-2006 season.

As a player he has won one Euroleague, two French Championships, two Slovenian Championships, three Slovenian Cups.
As a coach he has won one Croatian and three Slovenian Cups, and one Slovenian and one Bosnian Championships. In 2012 he was named coach of the year for the Eurocup with Spartak St. Petersburg. Before AEK Zdovc was the head coach of Gaziantep in Turkey, with Stefanos Dedas being his assistant coach. Dedas did not follow Zdovc in AEK, as he is now the head coach of Gaziantep.

Panathinaikos released Dusko Ivanovic

Panathinaikos released its coach Dusko Ivanovic after the defeat by Olympiacos. In his less than a season pass from the team Ivanovic counts 21-3 record for the Basket League regular season, but lost the first place and twice by Olympiacos. In Euroleague Panathinaikos with Ivanovic had a 13-15 record, with many road defeats by teams weaker than the Greens. Ivanovic won the Greek Cup with Panathinaikos by playing and winning only 3 games. His assistant coach Sotiris Manolopoulos will be the temporary coach of the team.