By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With financial struggles rising at Trapani Shark, head coach Jasmin Repesa recently submitted his resignation and the team declined, but left midway through the 2025-26 schedule anyway, the team announced on Thursday.
Initially, rejecting the resignation was based on Shark denying a contract breach cited by the Croatian tactician. The team also reserves the right to legal actions due to the unexcused exit unless Repesa reconsiders and returns under contract obligations, as noted in the press release. Their contract lasts until the end of the season.
Besides the developments regarding the head coach, 30-year-old forward Amar Alibegovic has been stripped of his captaincy and will practice individually until further notice, the team announced on Thursday. John Petrucelli will serve as the new captain.
The Sicilian club previously acknowledged budget hardship via team president Valerio Antonini, and has been working toward overcoming the current unstable situation. The 64-year-old play-caller deciding to step down from his position is connected to ongoing struggles, reportedly stretching to possible midseason player departures.
Entering Basketball Champions League Season X powered by Ameresco SUNEL, Trapani currently sits 2-2 in Group D of the Regular Season. The bid to reach the Round of 16 and a likely Play-In berth depends on remaining outings opposite La Laguna Tenerife in Santiago Martin Arena on Wednesday and Tofas in Tofas Arena on December 16. At the domestic level, two separate penalties amounting to a total reduction of five points have reduced an 8-1 start to fifth place on the LBA UnipolSai standings, instead of being tied with Virtus Olidate Bologna and Germani Brescia in first place.
The experienced play-caller took over head-coaching duties before the 2024-25 season, guiding the team to second place in the Regular Season of the Italian League and from there to the Semifinals of the Playoffs, falling to a three-game sweep at the hands of third-seeded Brescia. His side also participated in the midseason Frecciarossa Final Eight 2025 but lost in the opening Quarterfinals round to Dolomiti Energia Trento.