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For Igor Kokoskov, it took only two practices to understand that Luka Doncic was a rare talent. “It only takes two sessions, two practices with a guy like that, to realize what kind of generational talent you’re working with. His talent was so obvious, and he keeps growing with every passing year. He is a gem, a diamond, a gift from God.”
Kokoskov reunited with him in 2021 after joining Jason Kidd’s coaching staff in Dallas. His experience with the Mavericks coach, however, was not positive. “He was one of my favorite players and one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game. I loved the Princeton offense because of Jason Kidd. But Jason Kidd the player and Jason Kidd the coach and person are two completely different stories. I didn’t have a good experience with him, nor do I have a particularly high opinion of him off the court or as a head coach. And it’s fine for people to know that. That’s not just my opinion. He generally led some really gifted teams.”
He also described a conversation in which he tried to make it clear that his relationship with Doncic would not affect his loyalty to Kidd. “So, yeah, I don’t have a particularly high opinion of him. Perhaps the best illustration is that, after working with Jason Kidd for a year, I sat down with him and said: ‘Look, I have a history with Luka Doncic and I know him well. We’ve worked together before, and that can certainly help the team. But I am not here working for Luka Doncic. I am working for you. This is your team.’ However, he could never really get over it. It was something in his head, part of his personal issues, which I didn’t want to get involved in.”
Project B today announced the appointment of Igor Kokoškov as Head of Player Development, naming one of basketball's most accomplished player development coaches to lead the organization's long-term talent strategy.
Efes head coach Igor Kokoskov was asked about the NBA Europe project and highlighted their commitment to competing at the highest level. “Us as a team, Efes as a club, I know the management, the general manager, the president, they’re exploring all options. We are happy where we are, but we’ll see what the future brings,” Kokoskov explained. “Efes club, with its history, the expectations, and ambitions, deserves to play in the top league in the world. Right now, we’re in the 2nd-best league in the world, that’s EuroLeague, and we’re happy where we are.”
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Having coached in the NBA and served as a long-time assistant, Kokoskov is no stranger to the league across the Atlantic. “I think that it’s the landscape of the world, basketball is gonna change. And the epicenter of world basketball is the NBA,” he said. “Financially, they control the market, they will explore options to expand their business in Europe.”
In the post-game press conference, Efes head coach Igor Kokoskov was asked about the NBA Europe project and highlighted their commitment to competing at the highest level. “Us as a team, Efes as a club, I know the management, the general manager, the president, they’re exploring all options. We are happy where we are, but we’ll see what the future brings,” Kokoskov explained. “Efes club, with its history, the expectations, and ambitions, deserves to play in the top league in the world. Right now, we’re in the 2nd-best league in the world, that’s EuroLeague, and we’re happy where we are.”
“I think that it’s the landscape of the world, basketball is gonna change. And the epicenter of world basketball is the NBA,” he said. “Financially, they control the market, they will explore options to expand their business in Europe.”
Ahead of EuroLeague Round 3 against Partizan, Anadolu Efes head coach Igor Kokoskov addressed several important topics regarding European basketball, speaking to Serbian media. The former NBA coach — the first non-American to lead an NBA team with the Phoenix Suns and a longtime assistant in the world’s top league — spoke about circumstances in European basketball, touching on the subject that EuroLeague has often been called a veterans’ league — a competition for older players. “That’s a topic that deserves a deeper analysis. Europe will pay the price for not having the courage to play young players. We’re scratching our heads over what’s happening in college basketball, where players receive both education and money. Luckily, not all of them will go to the NBA, but they’ll go to America at 17 or 18… The only way we can keep them is to offer something better. And you can’t be mad at EuroLeague coaches for lacking courage — look, we’re only two rounds into the EuroLeague, and some coaches are already on the hot seat. We need to look at the bigger picture. But here, there is no bigger picture. Every game feels like a final. That’s where Europe is paying the price,” Kokoskov said, per Meridian sport.
Anadolu Efes has officially appointed Serbian coach Igor Kokoskov as the club’s new head coach, signing him to a three-year contract. Kokoskov arrives in Istanbul after spending the past season as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks under Quin Snyder. The experienced tactician has coached multiple national teams, including Georgia, Serbia, and most notably Slovenia, whom he led to the EuroBasket title in 2017.
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Anadolu Efes is starting a new chapter by appointing Igor Kokoskov as head coach, marking his return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. The Serbian tactician replaces Luca Banchi. Kokoskov most recently worked alongside Quin Snyder as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, but he brings deep European credentials to the job.
Doncic's foundation is getting guidance from a Youth Sports Leadership Council, a group that includes his agent Bill Duffy, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, former Slovenia national team coach and current Atlanta Hawks assistant Igor Kokoskov, and Hall of Famers Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady and Dirk Nowitzki.