Anadolu Efes names Luca Banchi new head coach

ISTANBUL

Anadolu Efes Istanbul appointed Italian head coach Luca Banchi to lead the team, the club announced Tuesday.

The sides agreed on a contract for the remainder of the season with an option for 2025-26.

It comes after Efes' 87-70 defeat Sunday to Besiktas in the Turkish Super League.

Banchi, 59, has also served as head coach of the Latvian national team since 2021, where he managed Latvia to 5th place at the FIBA World Cup 2023 without its superstar Kristaps Porzingis. He began as head coach of the Italian club, Virtus Bologna, earlier this season but resigned in December after a 2 - 10 start in the Euroleague, despite leading the team to the Play-in Showdown last season.

Tomislav Mijatovic, the now-former head coach of Anadolu Efes, will remain with the team as an assistant coach, according to the club.

Mijatovic, who served as an assistant coach for 14 years, was promoted to head coach in February.

Anadolu Efes currently ranks ninth in the Euroleague and second in the Turkish Super League.