Anadolu Efes is in advanced discussions with Pablo Laso to take over as head coach, according to Donatas Urbonas on Monday, December 8. Laso emerges as the leading candidate following Igor Kokoskov’s dismissal on November 27, just months after he signed with the Turkish club on July 2.
The EuroLeague powerhouse currently sits 17th in the 2025–26 standings with a 5-9 record, holding a -75 point differential after 14 games. Efes has struggled offensively and defensively, trailing most of the league in scoring efficiency despite solid individual contributions from players like Shane Larkin and Ercan Osmani.
Shane Larkin leads the team with 15.8 points and 4.5 assists per game, shooting 41.9% from three-point range and 88.2% from the free-throw line. Ercan Osmani adds 12.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest, while Isaiah Cordinier contributes 11.6 points and 3.3 boards per game.
Other contributors include Jordan Loyd, averaging 10.4 points in 23:59 minutes per game, and Nick Weiler-Babb with 8.4 points and 4.7 assists. Despite individual efforts, Efes has struggled to convert efficiency into wins, shooting just 54.4% on two-pointers and 35.9% on threes while allowing 82.9 points per game.
Laso brings extensive EuroLeague experience, most notably leading Real Madrid from 2011 to 2022 before coaching stints at Bayern Munich (2023–24) and Baskonia (2024–25). Known for his fast-paced, high-scoring systems, Laso could implement structured offensive schemes and stronger defensive rotations.
Anadolu Efes has been inconsistent at home (3-5) and away (2-4), underscoring the urgency to finalize a coaching solution. The club’s management views Laso as capable of integrating key players like Larkin, Osmani, and Cordinier into a balanced, effective system.
