David Blatt
Photo: Reuven Schwartz
Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Blatt heading to NBA
After leading his club to the European championship, Israeli coach pursuing a job in US league.
David Blatt has stepped down as coach of European club champion Maccabi Tel Aviv to pursue a job in the NBA.
Blatt told a news conference on Thursday he wanted to fulfil his "dream" of coaching in the NBA.
He says he is weighing offers from unnamed teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors are all believed to be interested.
Blatt, who grew up near Boston and played college ball at Princeton, has had a successful career coaching overseas. Last month, he led Maccabi to an upset win over Real Madrid in the European basketball championship.
At a championship celebration, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu playfully told Blatt not to leave.
