By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
Joan Plaza has reached an agreement with Casademont Zaragoza to take charge of the club’s men’s first team through the end of the current season. The deal also includes an option for both parties to extend the partnership for an additional year.
Born in Barcelona in 1963, Plaza brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished résumé built over nearly two decades at the highest level of European basketball. He first rose to prominence as head coach of Real Madrid Baloncesto, where he served from 2006 to 2009. In his debut season at the helm, he guided the Spanish giants to the Liga ACB title and the EuroCup crown in the 2006–07 campaign, immediately establishing himself among Europe’s elite coaches.
Following his stint in Madrid, Plaza went on to coach CB Sevilla and later took charge of BC Žalgiris. During his time in Lithuania, he led Žalgiris to both the domestic league championship and the Lithuanian Supercup in 2013. He subsequently returned to Spain to manage Unicaja de Málaga, where he spent five seasons and lifted the EuroCup trophy in 2016–17.
Plaza’s international résumé also includes a spell with Zenit de San Petersburgo, further underscoring his broad experience across European competitions including his stint with Morabanc Andorra, his last team that he coached until last 26 January.