By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Looking for a second campaign in the 7DAYS EuroCup, Justus Hollatz will be moving his talents to Cedevita Olimpija.
Hollatz, 22 has a deal with the team based in Ljubljana for the next season, sources told Eurohoops.
The young German point guard, included in his country’s preliminary squad for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, is eligible to be selected in the 2023 NBA draft, to be held on 22 June.
German PG Justus Hollatz is moving to Cedevita, having a deal for next season.
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— Aris Barkas (@arbarkas) June 13, 2023
Hollatz spent the 2022-23 season in Spain’s Liga Endesa playing for Rio Breogan. He averaged 7.9 points per game with 51.4% from inside the two-point range and 32.2% from beyond the arc. He additionally tallied 3.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds per ACB game.
The earlier part of his career, coming out of Germany’s Hamburg Towers, included 13 games played in the 2021-22 edition of EuroCup. He produced 8.2 points, 4.2 assists, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Cedevita Olimpija made it official
The deal was officially announced by Cedevita Olimpija, and expressing his enthusiasm, Hollatz conveyed his gratitude for the opportunity to join a team with a rich basketball history like Cedevita Olimpija.
“I am really happy. I know that the last season was difficult for Cedevita Olimpija, but I want the upcoming one to be better in all competitions. I will do everything the team asks of me, and at the same time, I am looking forward to getting to know the fans and people in Ljubljana. I’m looking forward to coming to Slovenia, but I can’t wait to meet my teammates and start working with the members of the professional staff,” Hollatz said upon announcing the signing of the contract with the Ljubljana club.
Simone Pianigiani hired as the new head coach
In another move officially completed by Cedevita Olimpija, Simone Pianigiani inked a three-year contract to assume head-coaching responsibilities, the team announced Tuesday.
“I am pleased to have joined Cedevita Olimpija. I know Ljubljana from the times when I was a visitor here in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and was present at EuroBasket 2013. The Stozice Arena is beautiful,” mentioned the Italian tactician, “I met all the members of the organization at Cedevita Olimpija, and I am looking forward to working in the upcoming season. The first impressions are exceptional because there are many people in the club who have been associated with basketball for many years, and I have already heard good things about Cedevita Olimpija. The feelings are very good.”
A few hours before announcing the new boss, the previous play-caller Miro Alilovic was released. The Slovenian coach took over in March, leading his side to the Premier A Slovenian Basketball League championship and Semifinals of the AdmiralBet ABA League.
Also, retired player Vlado Ilievski was named sports director. He replaced departing Sani Becirovic, who will be the new general manager of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague outlet Panathinaikos.