OFFICIAL: Pitino new national team coach

Rick Pitino is the new head coach of the national team, the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK) has confirmed.

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On Friday, the EOK released this following statement:

“Today (08/11), Rick Pitino agreed with EOK president Giorgos Vasilakopoulos to coach the men’s national team next summer, namely the pre-Olympic tournament with a view to qualifying for the Olympic Games in Tokyo where he will continue at the helm.”

The EOK also revealed that a press-conference will take place on Monday.

Pitino confirmed that he will be coaching the Greek national team with this post on his official Twitter account:

The 67-year-old American was shown around the offices of the EOK:

Vasilakopoulos spoke to the media after the news was announced:

“Pitino was successful in Europe with Panathinaikos and he is a legend of American basketball. He knows all of the players in Greece. Yes, the bar for the national team is high, and this is why we chose Pitino. We want to win, and not just participate. The EOK works for the good of Greek basketball.”

Pitino had previously stated that he will manage Greece for free. The successful coach had worked with Panathinaikos in the second half of the 2018/2019 season, steering the Athenian club to the Greek double and the EuroLeague playoffs.

Thanasis Skourtopoulos will continue working as the national team head coach during the EuroBasket 2021 qualifying campaign.

By: Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: to10.gr

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