By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After a disappointing start to the 2025-26 campaign, Bursaspor announced a head-coaching change on Tuesday, parting ways with Nenad Markovic upon mutual agreement and hiring Ahmet Caki.
Markovic, 57, signed in August and guided the Turkish club to the Regular Season of the Basketball Champions League Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL, through the Qualification Rounds, but was limited to 0-4 in Group C. Furthermore, a 2-5 tally in the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi Regular Season sits narrowly over the relegation zone. Among the most successful and experienced tacticians in BCL history, Bursaspor was his sixth stop following Pinar Karsiyaka, Iberostar Tenerife, Gaziantep, JDA Dijon, and Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari.
Caki, 50, resurfaced in the Champions League after being the mastermind in Tofas reaching the Quarterfinals of the 2021-22 installment. The Mersin native spent the majority of his career in Turkiye, coaching several clubs over the last three decades, and also worked in Germany with ALBA Berlin.
Bursaspor must win both remaining games, opposite Cholet and Hapoel Netanel Holon, and get some help from Joventut Badalona to potentially avoid a continental exit at the end of the Regular Season.
Ryan Schwieger joins Wurzburg
At 2-2 in Group E, Fitness First Wurzburg Baskets penned 26-year-old Ryan Schwieger to a two-month contract on Tuesday. The American winger is a veteran of four BCL games, split between this season’s Qualification Rounds with Juventus and his previous spell in Germany with RASTA Vechta.
“From my games against Wurzburg, I have a lot of respect for the club and the coaching staff. I have also already played against some of my new teammates, and I am very happy to be part of the team. I want to contribute and help the team in any way I can,” he welcomed his move to Wurzburg.
At the bottom end of the Regular Season, Sasa Filipovski’s side will be on the road versus Igokea m:tel and Trieste. Domestically, a 5-2 start is tied for third in the easyCredit BBL Regular Season standings.