A second news update as we continue the journey towards Eurobasket in Slovenia, next September.
Nowitzki unlikely to play next summer
Germany and Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki is unlikely to feature at Eurobasket.
This news doesn’t come as much of a surprise to most, seeing as Nowtizki has yet to suit up for the Mavericks this season due to surgery on his knee in the pre-season.
Mark Cuban was quoted from German website Kicker.de recently in saying that he would “rather shoot my own foot than let him [Dirk] play in the Eurobasket. I just don’t believe that would be clever. I know how important it is for him to represent his country. But such events are business. It is only about money.”
Guy Goodes interested in Great Britain job?
Maccabi Electra assistant coach Guy Goodes has reportedly applied for the Great Britain coaching job, Israeli media have said.
Goodes, 42, has won seven championships and three state-cups, all with Maccabi. The former British/Israeli point guard was unavailable for comment.
Great Britain will be housed in the capital Ljubljana in Group A along with France, Germany, Ukraine, Belgium and Israel.
Zdovc in talks for Russia job
Current Spartak St. Petersburg coach Jure Zdovc has confirmed he has been approached by the Russian Basketball Federation to become the new national team coach.
Zdovc, who led Slovenia to a fourth-placed finish at Eurobasket 2009 in Poland has said that discussions have not yet past the first hurdle.
“I did not receive an offer to lead the Russian team, but the [Federation] got in touch,” Zdovc said to the R-Sport agency.
Zdovc also hinted that not only has current Bilbao coach Fotis Katsikaris been in talks as well, but that the Greek has already got the job, unofficially.
“I think they have already decided who will be the new head coach,” he added. “I can only wish him good luck to coach Russia. He’s proved that he is a great coach, I know him well. He is a high-class expert, I think he deserves a chance to shine.”
