Historic EuroLeague Feat Puts Paris Coach on Portland’s Radar

Could he soon be with Deni Avdija? Julius Thomas, the coach of Paris, has received an offer to join the Blazers, Sport 5 reported on 10.06.26 at 20:41 (GETTY) | Photo: Sport 5.

Julius Thomas made major history in the EuroLeague this season after becoming the youngest permanent head coach ever to coach in the competition, doing so at the age of 28. Now, according to a report in the Greek outlet Gazzetta, the German coach has drawn interest from the Portland Trail Blazers, who may bring him in as an assistant coach. If that happens, it would mark the third time in the past three years that a Paris coach has left the team for the NBA, after Thomas Isalo and Tiago Splitter, Portland’s coach last season.

"Portland has already sent him an offer," the report said. "Not only that, he also has two offers from Australia, and he is considering those as well."

By the way, before Thomas, there was an even younger coach who coached a EuroLeague game, Gasper Potocnik, who was on the sidelines for Ljubljana on 10.12.2008 at the age of 27 years and 11 months. In any case, he did so on a temporary basis, not as a permanent coach.

Together with Thomas, Paris recently reached the French league final after a 1:2 win over Strasbourg in the quarterfinals and a 1:3 win over Cholet in the semifinals. In the series for the title, they will face Monaco.

Meanwhile, a rather surprising report appeared in the French outlet BeBasket, according to which one of the options Paris is considering as a potential replacement for Thomas is none other than Tenerife star Marcelinho Huertas, 43. The Brazilian’s contract expires at the end of the season, but he has not yet announced whether he intends to retire.