By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After the EuroBasket 2025, Aleksandar Dzikic will remain the head coach of the senior national team of Georgia through the FIBA World Cup 2027, from the Qualifiers to a possible trip to Qatar.
A two-year contract extension with the 54-year-old tactician was announced by the Georgian Basketball Federation on Wednesday. In early 2024, the initial deal was for the EuroBasket Qualifiers and the eventual participation in the final stage.
The next challenge for Georgia is in the approaching EuroBasket 2025, the country’s sixth straight appearance in the tournament. The team coached by Dzikic is in Group C of the preliminary round, set to take on Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Limassol, between August 28 and September 4. Ranking first through fourth would clinch a berth in the knockout stage and a trip to Riga.
Next November, Georgia will embark on the effort to reach the World Cup 2027, starting the Qualifiers in Group A, opposite Spain and two more national teams coming out of the Pre-Qualifiers. The top three seeds will advance to the second and final round of the Qualifiers.
The Belgrade native launched a coaching career in 1991. The early stages were highlighted by serving as an assistant under Nenad Trajkovic, Darko Ruso, and Dusko Vujosevic at Partizan. He also worked in the NBA as an assistant to Dwane Casey at the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2005 to 2007. Returning to Europe, later head-coaching assignments stretched to Union Olimpija, Krka, Lietuvos Rytas, Partizan, Buducnost, Movistar Estudiantes, and Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem.
Photo Credit: FIBA