Stefanos Dedas Offers to Coach Israeli National Basketball Team

Stefanos Dedas, currently an assistant coach for Hapoel Tel Aviv under Dimitris Itoudis, has approached the Israeli Basketball Association with an unconventional proposal to coach the national team. Dedas stated his willingness to take on the role, emphasizing that financial compensation would not be an obstacle. He has reportedly discussed this possibility with some players on the Israeli national team, in addition to contacts within the association.

Dedas envisions a collaborative coaching approach, suggesting a partnership with Guy Pnini, an assistant coach for Maccabi Tel Aviv. The two share a positive relationship and a past working together at Hapoel Holon.

The 44-year-old Dedas has prior experience as an assistant coach for the Slovenian national team in 2009 and between 2014 and 2016. Before joining Hapoel Tel Aviv, he served as Itoudis's assistant at Fenerbahce and CSKA Moscow, and has also coached AEK Athens and Hapoel Holon.

However, the Israeli Basketball Association has stated that they are not currently focused on appointing coaches. They also confirmed that Ariel Beit-Halahmi's contract as head coach extends until September 2027.