ALBA Berlin is turning to Pedro Calles in hopes of reversing its struggles both domestically and in the EuroLeague. His arrival marks the end of Israel Gonzalez's tenure, who had been with the club since 2017, first as an assistant before taking over as head coach.
ALBA Berlin are making a coaching change, naming 41-year-old Spanish coach Pedro Calles as the team's new head coach, sources tell BasketNews.
Points this season
ALBA Berlin
EuroLeague
Calles will replace Israel Gonzalez, who has led the team since 2021. The decision comes after a 101-90 loss to Ratiopharm Ulm in the German league, with ALBA currently tied for 10th place in the domestic standings.
The team has also struggled in EuroLeague play, sitting at the bottom of the standings with a 4-24 record.
Gonzalez was on an expiring contract with ALBA. According to sources, Calles has taken over as head coach for the remainder of the season.
ALBA had been following Calles' coaching career for some time, impressed by his achievements and profile, sources tell BasketNews.
He joined the team in January as an assistant coach under Gonzalez. Per sources, ALBA initially had no plans to make him an in-season replacement.
Gonzalez joined ALBA in 2017 as an assistant under Aito Garcia Reneses before taking over as head coach.
Calles brings experience in German basketball, having previously coached RASTA Vechta, Hamburg Towers, and EWE Baskets Oldenburg.
Donatas Urbonas
Donatas Urbonas is an award-winning Lithuanian basketball journalist, recognized as the best sports journalist in Lithuania in 2016 and the top basketball journalist in 2018. A Vilnius University journalism graduate, Urbonas has reported on major global sports events, including the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympics, FIBA World Cups, EuroBaskets, NBA Summer League, and NBA Draft.
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