By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Danny Franco is back for a third spell as the head coach of Hapoel Netanel Holon.
Heading to the 2025-26 edition of the Basketball Champions League and shortly after officially parting ways with Guy Kaplan, Franco was appointed by the Israeli club as the new play-caller on Wednesday.
“I am excited to return to the Hapoel Holon family and lead the team in the upcoming season,” said the 51-year-old native of Holon, “This is a club with a rich tradition, a clear vision and a place at the top of Israeli basketball. The team’s management, the professional team and I will work hard together to bring Hapoel Holon the highest achievements, as has happened in the past.”
In the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons, Franco previously served as head coach of Hapoel Holon. His efforts combined with winning the Israel’s State Cup in 2009. His most recent job was with Hapoel Tel Aviv, with his second spell at the fellow Israeli club stretching from 2021 to 2024. Back in the 2015-16, he guided Hapoel Jerusalem to a league championship, the first of two in team history.
Back in the Champions League, Le Mans announced 28-year-old David DiLeo will return for the 2025-26 season. Leopold Delaunay, Ugo Doumbia, Lucas Dufeal, Jonathan Jeanne, TaShawn Thomas, and Will Yeguete are already confirmed by the French club.
Opening summer reinforcements, Trepca signed 33-year-old Shawn Jones. In contrast to the two aforementioned clubs, the Kosovo outfit needs to complete the Qualification Rounds challenge to play in the next Regular Season.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net