Blatt, David

Blatt is a Princeton graduate who is making a name for himself as one of Europe's most promising coaches. Currently coaching Dynamo St. Petersburg, he also coached Maccabi Tel Aviv, one of Europe's top teams. On April 28, 2005, Dynamo St. Petersburg beat Turkish side Fenerbache 85-74 in the EuropeLeague final. It was Blatt's first European title as a head coach and a major boost to his international profile.

Blatt was also Israeli national team assistant coach from 1997 to 2001. In February 2005, he was appointed head coach of the Israeli national team and will lead the team into the next European Championships.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. February 22, 1959

Career Highlights:
Blatt graduated from Princeton in 1981 and came to Israel in order to pursue his basketball career. The Ivy League graduate fell in love with Israel as a starter for the gold-medal winning USA Maccabiah team of 1981. He spent 1981-1984 playing for Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli top division.

While playing for some of Israel's top teams, such as Hapoel Galil Elyon and Hapoel Jerusalem, Blatt pursued his coaching credentials. During his playing days he coached women's basketball and youth teams while earning a reputation for meticulous reputation and defensive astuteness. In the 1993-94 season, Blatt was appointed assistant coach at Galil Elyon. His first steps as a senior coach were taken later that same season as a caretaker for the team.

In 1994-95 David was assistant coach to Pini Gershon at Galil Elyon. The head coach would become a coaching mentor to Blatt. When Gershon left, Blatt enjoyed a four year spell as head coach of Hapoel and led them to four solid years from the 1995-96 season to 1998-99, despite a very modest budget. He developed a hard working side based on young talent like Gur Shelef among others.

Blatt was offered the coveted spot as Pini Gershon's assistant coach at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Through the tremendously successful period of 1999-2001, the twosome led Maccabi to two league titles, two State Cups and the Euroleague title in 2001. David was mostly responsible for defensive formations and duties as well as scouting. His penchant for finding the best discarded American college talent caught the eye of the European basketball establishment.

Gershon retired from coaching after a racial slur scandal, and Blatt was the natural successor. The coach built a reliable, workmanlike team and did the business in the Israeli league. Maccabi won the 2001-02, and the 2002-03 league titles and State Cups quite easily. However, the team lacked an offensive spark and did not impress in European competition. Critics complained that the basketball was uninspired and Maccabi fans seemed to long for Gershon's return.

The successful coach did indeed return to Tel Aviv, and Blatt was the assistant coach again in the 2003-04 campaign. Maccabi won the league and cup "double" once again with the newly formed team. The duo found that spark once again in European competition and won the 2004 Euroleague title.

Blatt decided to return to head coaching duties and after fielding several offers, the American coach took the reigns at Dynamo St. Petersburg. As of April 28, 2005, the northern Russian team is placed fifth in the Russian Superleague with a 15-9 record. Blatt has enjoyed greater success in the EuropeLeague, where St. Petersburg emerged as the winners.

Origin:
Boston, MA

Career Dates:
Player: 1977-1992

Coach: 1993-

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