By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Confirming recent projections of the Italian Basketball Federation president, Luca Banchi was hired as the new head coach of the senior national team.
The 60-year-old Italian tactician signed a three-year contract. He committed to coaching during the Qualifiers of the FIBA World Cup 2027, looking to clinch a berth in the final stage, and from there guide his selections in competing for a ticket to the Los Angeles Olympic Games 2028.
Following EuroBasket 2025 and the decision to part ways with Gianmarco Pozzecco, FIP president Gianni Petrucci confirmed earlier rumors about Banchi taking over, but the official announcement was pending until Tuesday. An introductory press conference will follow in Rome on Friday.
The Grosseto native spent the last four years as the selector of the senior national team of Latvia. A successful spell featured fifth place in the FIBA World Cup 2023 and 12th in the recent EuroBasket.
His next assignment will be with his home country in Group D of the World Cup Qualifiers, with the first fixture in a six-game schedule against Iceland on November 27. The top three seeds between Italy, Great Britain, and Lithuania will move to Group J alongside the top three from Serbia, Turkiye, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Switzerland, to compete for a spot in the final stage through another six-game schedule.
Banchi has been coaching since 1983, at the age of 18. The list of former teams at the club level includes Emporio Armani Milano, Brose Bamberg, and Virtus Segafredo Bologna.