Report: Luke Walton’s top assistant Igor Kokoskov leaving Kings to lead Fenerbahce
Kings coach Luke Walton is losing his top assistant to one of the world’s top international teams.
ESPN reported Thursday that Kings assistant coach Igor Kokoskov, 48, has agreed in principle to become the next head coach of Fenerbahce Basketball in Istanbul, Turkey, one of the most successful clubs in the Turkish Super League. As of now, Kokoskov plans to accompany the Kings to Florida to conclude the NBA season, a league source told The Sacramento Bee, but that will likely mark the end of his brief tenure in Sacramento.
Kokoskov joined Walton’s staff as an assistant prior to the 2019-20 season after being fired as head coach of the Phoenix Suns. Kokoskov previously served as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers (2000-03), Detroit Pistons (2003-08), Suns (2008-13), Cleveland Cavaliers (2013-14), Orlando Magic (2014-15) and Utah Jazz (2015-18).
In addition to his duties with the Kings, Kokoskov, a native of Belgrade, Serbia, has also served as head coach of the Serbian national team since November, leading a squad that features the Kings’ Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nemanja Bjelica.
Kokoskov was the first non-American born head coach in the NBA. He was also the first non-American assistant to serve on an NBA All-Star Game coaching staff (2006) and the first full-time, non-American assistant coach in league history (2000).
In addition to his extensive NBA experience, Kokoskov is also an accomplished international coach. He led Luka Doncic and the Slovenian national team to a 9-0 record and a gold medal at FIBA EuroBasket 2017, the nation’s first European championship. He served as head coach of the Georgian national team from 2008-15.
“Igor brings tremendous experience to our team and I know this opportunity to represent his country is a source of great pride for him,” Walton said after Kokoskov was named Serbian national coach. “While his accomplishments internationally and throughout the NBA are impressive, more importantly he is an incredible human being who serves as an invaluable mentor for his players and key members of my coaching staff. On behalf of our entire team, it is my pleasure to congratulate Igor on this immense honor.”
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 11:43 AM.
