Assistant coach of the Israeli national team Dror Cohen believes in Israeli basketball • Comments on the summonses ("always professional") • and wants to move to the front of the stage ("I am ready") • Summary interview
Dror Cohen in a bubble in Poland.
Satisfied with the process that the team is going through
Photo:
Basketball Association
Dror Cohen is one of Oded Katash's best friends.
The two have known each other since the age of 10 when they played together in the short-basket team of Maccabi Tel Aviv, advanced together to the youth team of the Yellows and later also advanced to the seniors and played in their first season in Maccabi Ramat Gan.
Two years after Cohen retired from active play in 2008, Katsh has already asked him to come and serve as his assistant at Hapoel Jerusalem, and in the last four years they have once again joined forces, this time on the lines of the Israeli team.
"In these four years, a good and positive atmosphere has been created in the team and players want to come," he told Israel Today in an interview on the occasion of the end of his term alongside Katsch. "In the World Championship qualifiers we were not on, but we started building the young staff and in this campaign I believe it will continue like this. "
When you started your term on the team in 2017 and went through a rather drastic process of rejuvenation, were there any concerns?
"There were concerns, but we constantly felt backed by people in the union who are with us in the process. We received positive feedback all the time and we did not feel pressure that the goal is to go to the world championships, but to build a team for years to come. Fears were that you bring players who finished tournaments "Sussman, Rafi Manko and others, and put the team on their shoulders. It took us a few windows until we closed on a squad of 15 players who are the base, and from window to window it looks better, because we have rooted the method and the way."
There were some players who did not get a real chance in your time and there were criticisms about it.
"We've heard the reviews, but I can say it's never personal, but always professional. When we sign 12 players per game, there should be a mix of a basketball team and the 11-12 player knows it's his place in the hierarchy. So sometimes we bring in people who fit the role we assign. , For example young players and not a senior player in his team who will think he needs to play a lot more.Believe me that every summons and every non-summons is discussed in the forum of coaches, the chairman of the professional committee and the manager of the team.
There was nothing pulling out or a professional whim. "
What are you most pleased you did in those four years?
" From the fact that we compete against every team in Europe - we played against Spain, Germany, Serbia - and we are not inferior to anyone.
We also manage to reduce physical gaps.
"Sometimes there will be level differences, but we are coping well."
Oded Katash. Without professional whims // Photo: Alan Schieber
"I am waiting for my opportunity"
Cohen (47) retired from active play 13 years ago and was immediately appointed Oren Aharoni's assistant at Elitzur Givat Shmuel.
The team was relegated and changed its name to MK Baka and is ahead of the position of head coach.
Already in his first season, Cohen led the team to the national league championship and an impressive league promotion, but the club waived its right to play in the Premier League for economic reasons.
"I was very disappointed that we were not on, because we did a great job and I felt I had a chance to prove myself as a head coach in the Premier League. It goes through my head to this day."
He then received the same offer from Katsch to work alongside him at Hapoel Jerusalem, and in the last decade has established himself as one of the serious professionals in Israeli basketball, working with senior coaches such as Zvika Sharaf, Effi Birnbaum, Molly Katzourin and Sharon Drucker, and for the past two years he serves as Guy Goodes' assistant at Maccabi Rishon "C.
Do you feel ready and ripe to get a chance as head coach in the Premier League?
" Yes.
I feel ready for it and I look forward to my opportunity.
I have absorbed so much from the coaches I have worked with over the years, I have gained experience and I have my own agenda, so I know I am ready for the moment when I will have the opportunity as head coach. "