David Blatt
Encyclopedia
David Blatt is an American-Israeli professional basketball
coach, and a former professional basketball player. Today, Blatt is one of the most successful American coaches in European basketball, and is currently the head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Russia national basketball team
.
, played college basketball
at Princeton University
from 1977 to 1981, under coach Pete Carril
with the Princeton Tigers
. He also participated in the Maccabiah Games
as part of the USA national team that won a gold medal in 1981.
After competing in the Maccabiah Games, Blatt decided to abandon his American career and began to play basketball in Israel's Super League
.
, coaching them for the 1993–94 season. In the middle of the season, the head coach was sacked and he took his place. Next, he became Pini Gershon's
assistant in the 1994–95 season. In the following year, he won the title of Israeli "Coach of the Year" (1996) and in 1997, he continued coaching at Hapoel Galil Elyon, whilst also becoming the assistant coach of the Israeli National Team
.
Blatt returned to coach Galil Elyon and remained assistant manager of the Israeli National Team for the next 2 years (1997–99).
For the 1999–00 season, he moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv
and once again served as assistant manager to Pini Gershon. During this season, his team took part in the Israeli League
and Israeli Cup
(won both) and also in the Euroleague
, where Maccabi finished in 2nd place.
In the years between 2000–2004, he continued as assistant coach under Pini Gershon and actively recruited foreign players such as Anthony Parker
(in 2000) and Maceo Baston
to the team. During those 4 years, Maccabi won 1 Euroleague title, reached the Euroleague Final Four
(2001–02 season), and reached the final stage of the Adriatic League. Maccabi won the SuproLeague title in 2001, which was held in Paris. Blatt was still working as assistant coach of the Israeli National Team in 2002, when he won the title of Israeli "Coach of the Year" for the second time, the year he was appointed head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Despite two years as head coach with all possible domestic titles and one Euroleauge Final Four appearance, for the 2003–04 season, he agreed to be demoted to assistant coach once again when Pini Gershon came back to the head coach position. Together, they led one of the best teams in Maccabi Tel Aviv history, and the history of European basketball, to another Euroleague title with a 44-point win in the final, as well as the Israeli Championship and the Israeli Cup.
In 2004, he moved to Russia and signed on as head coach with Dynamo Saint Petersburg
. During this year, he won the FIBA EuroCup
championship with Dynamo and also the title of "Coach of the Year in Russia" (2004–05 season).
For the 2005–06 season, he signed on as head coach of the Israeli national basketball team
, but his appointment fell through due to the lack of a formal coaching certificate. He left Israel to become head coach of Benetton Treviso
of the Italian League, and subsequently led them to the Italian Championship through a 3–1 victory in the final series of the Italian playoffs. In the same year, he was also appointed the head coach of the Russian national basketball team.
Blatt was also the head coach of the Istanbul-based Turkish Basketball League
team Efes Pilsen, however, he parted ways with the team on April 6, 2008. Blatt has also coached the Russian national basketball team
, with which he won the EuroBasket 2007
(the FIBA European national teams championship) in a final against the reigning world champions
, and home team of Spain, by a score of 60–59.
In 2008, with Ettore Messina
then announcing that he would leave CSKA Moscow
, Blatt was considered to be the favorite to replace him, but Messina eventually stayed on as CSKA's coach and Blatt agreed to the offer to become the head coach of Dynamo Moscow
instead. In early 2010, Blatt served a stint as the head coach of the Greek League
club Aris Thessaloniki
, before moving on to coach Maccabi.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach, and a former professional basketball player. Today, Blatt is one of the most successful American coaches in European basketball, and is currently the head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Russia national basketball team
Russia national basketball team
The Russian national basketball team represents Russia in international basketball matches. The team came into existence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and its powerful basketball team. It has won 2 silver medals in the FIBA World Championships...
.
Playing career
Blatt, a point guardPoint guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
, played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
from 1977 to 1981, under coach Pete Carril
Pete Carril
Peter J. "Pete" Carril is a former collegiate head coach and former NBA assistant with the Sacramento Kings.-Early years:...
with the Princeton Tigers
Princeton Tigers men's basketball
The Princeton Tigers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Princeton University. The school competes in the Ivy League in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Tigers play home basketball games at the Jadwin Gymnasium in...
. He also participated in the Maccabiah Games
Maccabiah Games
The Maccabiah is an international Jewish athletic event similar to the Olympics held in Israel every four years under the auspices of the Maccabi Federation, affiliated with the Maccabi World Union. The Maccabiah Games is the third largest international sports competition in the world...
as part of the USA national team that won a gold medal in 1981.
After competing in the Maccabiah Games, Blatt decided to abandon his American career and began to play basketball in Israel's Super League
Ligat Winner
Ligat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
.
Teams
- 1973–77 Framingham South High School
- 1977–81 Princeton UniversityPrinceton Tigers men's basketballThe Princeton Tigers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Princeton University. The school competes in the Ivy League in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Tigers play home basketball games at the Jadwin Gymnasium in...
- 1981–84 Maccabi Haifa
- 1984–86 Basketball in the USA
- 1986–87 Hapoel Jerusalem
- 1987–88 Maccabi Natanya
- 1988–89 Basketball in Elitzor Natanya (also girls' team coach)
- 1989–90 Hapoel Galil ElyonHapoel Galil ElyonHapoel Galil-Elyon was an Israeli basketball club. The team represented the north-east region of the country – the Upper Galilee, and the Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights...
, also youth team coach - 1990–91 Hapoel Jerusalem
- 1991–92 Ironi NahariyaIroni NahariyaIroni Nahariya is a professional basketball club based in Nahariya in northern Israel. The team plays in Liga Leumit, the Second division in Israeli basketball.-History:...
(also youth club head coach) - 1992–93 Maccabi Hederra (was injured and retired)
Coaching career
After retiring from basketball as a player, Blatt became assistant manager for Hapoel Galil ElyonHapoel Galil Elyon
Hapoel Galil-Elyon was an Israeli basketball club. The team represented the north-east region of the country – the Upper Galilee, and the Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights...
, coaching them for the 1993–94 season. In the middle of the season, the head coach was sacked and he took his place. Next, he became Pini Gershon's
Pinhas Gershon
Pinhas "Pini" Gershon , is an Israeli basketball coach, who won 3 European Champions Cup as a head coach for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was also the coach of the Bulgarian national team.-Personal details:He grew up and studied in the city Tel Aviv...
assistant in the 1994–95 season. In the following year, he won the title of Israeli "Coach of the Year" (1996) and in 1997, he continued coaching at Hapoel Galil Elyon, whilst also becoming the assistant coach of the Israeli National Team
Israel national basketball team
The Israeli national basketball team is the basketball team that represents Israel in international competition.The Israeli team has participated 25 times in the European championship tournament. Their best achievements were a silver medal in Eurobasket 1979, and 5th place in 1953 and 1977...
.
Blatt returned to coach Galil Elyon and remained assistant manager of the Israeli National Team for the next 2 years (1997–99).
For the 1999–00 season, he moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv (basketball)
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv B.C. is a professional Israeli basketball club based in Tel Aviv. The team plays in three leagues: the Euroleague, the Israeli Basketball Super League, and the Adriatic League....
and once again served as assistant manager to Pini Gershon. During this season, his team took part in the Israeli League
Ligat Winner
Ligat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
and Israeli Cup
Israeli Basketball State Cup
The Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
(won both) and also in the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
, where Maccabi finished in 2nd place.
In the years between 2000–2004, he continued as assistant coach under Pini Gershon and actively recruited foreign players such as Anthony Parker
Anthony Parker
Anthony Michael Parker is an American professional basketball player who last played with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association . After graduating from Bradley University with a major in liberal arts, he entered the 1997 NBA Draft and played briefly in the NBA before...
(in 2000) and Maceo Baston
Maceo Baston
Maceo Demond Baston is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent.-College career:After graduating from Dallas' H. Grady Spruce High School, Baston played college basketball at the University of Michigan. At Michigan, he was part of an all-star recruiting class that...
to the team. During those 4 years, Maccabi won 1 Euroleague title, reached the Euroleague Final Four
Euroleague Final Four
The Euroleague Final Four is the final four format championship of the Euroleague professional club basketball competition. The Euroleague used the final four format for the first time during the 1987-88 season. It is known as the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four for sponsorship reasons...
(2001–02 season), and reached the final stage of the Adriatic League. Maccabi won the SuproLeague title in 2001, which was held in Paris. Blatt was still working as assistant coach of the Israeli National Team in 2002, when he won the title of Israeli "Coach of the Year" for the second time, the year he was appointed head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Despite two years as head coach with all possible domestic titles and one Euroleauge Final Four appearance, for the 2003–04 season, he agreed to be demoted to assistant coach once again when Pini Gershon came back to the head coach position. Together, they led one of the best teams in Maccabi Tel Aviv history, and the history of European basketball, to another Euroleague title with a 44-point win in the final, as well as the Israeli Championship and the Israeli Cup.
In 2004, he moved to Russia and signed on as head coach with Dynamo Saint Petersburg
Dynamo Saint Petersburg
Dynamo Saint Petersburg was a Russian professional basketball club that was based in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The club was founded in the year 2004, and within only a year, it won the FIBA Europe League championship in 2005, against Kyiv. After another year, the club went bankrupt in 2006....
. During this year, he won the FIBA EuroCup
EuroChallenge
The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe...
championship with Dynamo and also the title of "Coach of the Year in Russia" (2004–05 season).
For the 2005–06 season, he signed on as head coach of the Israeli national basketball team
Israel national basketball team
The Israeli national basketball team is the basketball team that represents Israel in international competition.The Israeli team has participated 25 times in the European championship tournament. Their best achievements were a silver medal in Eurobasket 1979, and 5th place in 1953 and 1977...
, but his appointment fell through due to the lack of a formal coaching certificate. He left Israel to become head coach of Benetton Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso, more often known by its sponsorship name of Benetton Basket, or Benetton Treviso, is an Italian Serie A League professional basketball club from Treviso, the headquarters city of its longtime owner Benetton Group...
of the Italian League, and subsequently led them to the Italian Championship through a 3–1 victory in the final series of the Italian playoffs. In the same year, he was also appointed the head coach of the Russian national basketball team.
Blatt was also the head coach of the Istanbul-based Turkish Basketball League
Turkish Basketball League
The Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert...
team Efes Pilsen, however, he parted ways with the team on April 6, 2008. Blatt has also coached the Russian national basketball team
Russia national basketball team
The Russian national basketball team represents Russia in international basketball matches. The team came into existence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and its powerful basketball team. It has won 2 silver medals in the FIBA World Championships...
, with which he won the EuroBasket 2007
Eurobasket 2007
-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :...
(the FIBA European national teams championship) in a final against the reigning world champions
2006 FIBA World Championship
The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
, and home team of Spain, by a score of 60–59.
In 2008, with Ettore Messina
Ettore Messina
Ettore Messina is an Italian professional basketball coach currently working as a consultant for Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He has won 4 Euroleague championships as a head coach...
then announcing that he would leave CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow
PBC CSKA Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Moscow, Russia. The club is a member of the VTB United League. It is often referred to in the West as "Red Army" for its past affiliation with the Soviet Army. CSKA has won two titles between 2006 and 2009 in Europe's...
, Blatt was considered to be the favorite to replace him, but Messina eventually stayed on as CSKA's coach and Blatt agreed to the offer to become the head coach of Dynamo Moscow
MBC Dynamo Moscow
MBC Dynamo Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team from Moscow, Russia.-Early Years:Created in 1923 when Russia was part of the Soviet Union, Dynamo is among the oldest sports clubs in the country. Its name was chosen because Dynamo means 'power in motion'. The club was backed by the...
instead. In early 2010, Blatt served a stint as the head coach of the Greek League
A1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
club Aris Thessaloniki
Aris BC
Aris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
, before moving on to coach Maccabi.