Shamir joins forces with Messina, CSKA

The 38-year-old was approached by decorated CSKA head coach Ettore Messina and signed a one-year contract with an option for a second season.

By ALLON SINAI
DAN SHAMIR 370 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
DAN SHAMIR 370
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Dan Shamir was announced on Wednesday as the new assistant coach at Euroleague powerhouse CSKA Moscow.
The 38-year-old was approached by decorated CSKA head coach Ettore Messina and signed a one-year contract with an option for a second season.
“I am thrilled to join Europe’s top club and partner with one of the greatest coaches in Europe’s history,” said Shamir, who coached Hapoel Holon in the past two seasons and was set to continue at the club for another year.
“I would like to thank the management of Hapoel Holon for allowing me to pursue this great opportunity. I am extremely motivated and intend to give my absolute best in order to help coach Messina and the organization fulfill CSKA’s great challenges.”
Shamir will be replaced at Holon by Lior Lubin, who guided Hapoel Gilboa/Galil last season. Sharon Drucker will coach Gilboa in 2013/14 after leaving Hapoel Jerusalem, while Robi Balinko will lead Barak Netanya in place of Danny Franco.
Shamir joined Holon after a couple of mediocre seasons at Bnei Hasharon, but he began his head-coaching career by leading Jerusalem to back-toback State Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2008, while also working as an assistant coach at Maccabi Tel Aviv and at Dynamo Moscow in 2008/09 under David Blatt.
“Coach Shamir has big and successful experience of assistant coaching work under legendary Pini Gershon and David Blatt, he has worked as a head coach for five years,” said Messina.
“He possesses good knowledge of the game, knows basketball culture and I think he will do his best to substitute Quin Snyder. We are happy to greet Dan onto CSKA’s coaching staff.”