ROCKETS WELCOME NURUZADE BACK AS HEAD COACH

READING Rockets Basketball Club have appointed Samit Nuruzade as their new head coach ahead of the 2022/23 season.

After the departure of Dan Pearson who has taken up a coaching role in Germany, the Rockets have turned to Nuruzade who returns for his second spell with the Rockets.

Director of coaching Matt Johnson said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have Samit back with us in Reading and really looking forward to his tenure with us.

“He provides us with such a quality level of coaching and it was a no-brainer when we knew his services were available after Dan’s departure.

“He has an excellent technical and tactical brain and brought a lot to us in his previous spell.”

Nuruzade returns to Reading for his second spell at the club having left the Rockets in 2013 to take up the position as assistant coach of BBL franchise Leeds Force.

The former Manchester Magic player and coach has the second highest winning percentage of any Rockets coach behind Dave Titmuss and won five trophies in his three year stint at the Berkshire club including one league title, two play-off titles, and two national trophies.

Nuruzade said: “I am delighted to be returning to Reading to such a wonderful club and where I have already enjoyed three very successful years.

“I am especially looking forward to working with some of the very best youth/academy players as developing young, British talent is something I am very passionate about.

“The opportunity to work with Matt (Johnson) and Ben (Fisher) again is great and to also have such a legend of basketball in this country in Dave Titmuss.”