In a conversation with the Latvian Basketball Union (LBS), the head coach of the Latvian men’s basketball team Luka Banki revealed that the management of the Italian club Pesaro “Victoria Libertas” is proud that their employee holds such an important position in the Latvian national team.
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On November 26 and 29, the Latvian basketball team will start the 2023 World Cup qualification tournament against the national teams of Serbia and Slovakia, respectively. On November 22, the players of the Latvian national team will meet for a short camp to prepare for the matches.
The management of the Latvian national team focuses on more than 50 players. Banks plan to invite 15 players to the trainings in November, but the names of the players will be named a week before the training camp.
Banks indicated that they are satisfied with the way the work is organized in the national team, because the statistics of the players are followed, the games are attended in person, and communication is maintained both with the players themselves and their coaches.
“The only concern is the common situation in Latvia in the fight against the virus, because due to the arcdown I was forced to cancel the planned seminar in Riga, as well as refuse the opportunity to meet with coaches in two open classes in Liepaja and Ventspils. I am ready to lead the seminar online basketball ideas with many colleagues, “said Banks.
The next opponents of the team are Serbia and Slovakia. Banks said they do not expect major changes in the Slovak national unit since the test matches in August. In turn, the Serbian national team has a new head coach and a long list of potential players, which the Latvian coaching corps follows.
Since October 20, the Banks have also taken over the management of the Pesaro unit, the coach himself stated that he was addressed by the opportunity to help the team, which is currently in a worse position. “I sincerely hope that my knowledge and experience will help to improve the situation,” Banks added.
The Banks also found that the talks with the Pesaro team management were easy, open and fair. “The club knows that I am the head coach of the Latvian national team and is proud that their employee holds such a prestigious position in international basketball,” the Italian coach emphasized.
Last season, Banks worked for the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Nets Farm Club, which plays in the Development League or the G League. He joined the Latvian state last spring.
