David Blatt returns to European basketball with reported Turkey signing

Israeli American basketball coach David Blatt, fired last season as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is reportedly set to sign to coach the Turkish basketball team Darüşşafaka Doğuş.

Blatt has already reached an agreement for a several-year contract with the team, and won’t be returning to the NBA, the Israeli sports website One reported on Tuesday.

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt calls a play during the first half of Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, in Cleveland, Tuesday, June 16, 2015. (AP/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt calls a play during the first half of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, in Cleveland, Tuesday, June 16, 2015. (AP/Tony Dejak)

After he was fired in January, Blatt said he wanted to remain in the NBA, as opposed to returning to coaching in Israel and the European leagues, where he led Maccabi Tel Aviv to five national titles and the 2014 Euroleague championship. He also guided the Russian national team to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

Should Blatt get the job, he will coach the Israeli forward Omri Casspi, another Maccabi alum.

— Marissa Newman

 

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