DRAGAN RACA

-December 22nd, 2005: Late this evening, Serbian Cyprus-based coach Dragan Raca signed with Club Sagesse to the position of Head Coach replacing American coach Scott Fields who resigned 10days before. Coach Raca will inherit the hard task of rebuilding the team and raising its level to the standard expected by the administration and the fan base. * Outlook: Name: Dragan Raca. Position: Head Coach Born: 1961 - Crahovo (YUG) Previous team: AEL, CYP (2002-04) Nationality: SCG-CYP Although he is a native of the former Yugoslavia, Dragan Raca has made Cyprus his home since 1990 and has had a huge impact on basketball in the country. After playing under legendary coach Dusan Ivkovic, Raca moved to Cyprus where he played for 8 teams in a 12-year career. He retired from playing in 2002 and is the Cypriot league’s all-time leading scorer. Raca also suited up for the Cypriot national team after gaining naturalization. He represented Cyprus during the Preliminary Round of the 2003 European Championship, averaging a team high 15.4ppg. In 2002 he was appointed head coach of EKA AEL and despite managing young and inexperienced players he led AEL to a great run in Europe which ended with his team being crowned FIBA Regional Challenge Cup Champions with an unbeaten record. In his rookie year as a coach Dragan Raca also led AEL to its first domestic Championship after 15 years. For those achievements he was subsequently voted “Coach of the Year” in Cyprus. In 2004 success on the European level continued with AEL progressing to the final 16 of the FIBA Europe League. In domestic competitions AEL made the treble after winning the Championship, the Cup and the Super Cup. * Background: Career / Comments: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -As Player (200 cm): 1989-1990: Prvi Partizan Titovo Uzice 1990-1991: Ethea Nicosia (CYP) AEK Nicosia (CYP) 1997-1998: Keravnos Nicosia (CYP) 1998-1999: Keravnos Nicosia (CYP) 1999-2000: Keravnos Nicosia (CYP) 2000-2001: Ahilleas Kaimakliou Nicosia (CYP) 2001-2002: AEL Limassol (CYP): Saporta Cup: 6games: 6.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 2ast ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Awards/Achievements: Cyprus Cup Winner 1999 Cyprus League Champion 2000 Cyprus Cup Final Four 2002 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -As Head Coach: 2002-2003: AEL Limassol (CYP) 2003-2004: AEL Limassol (CYP-A1) 2004-2005: AEL Limassol (CYP-A1), left in May'05 2005: In July signed a two-year contract with Iraklis Thessaloniki (GRE-A1) 2005-2006: Iraklis Thessaloniki (GRE-A1) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Awards/Achievements: FIBA Regional Challenge South winner 2003 Cyprus Cup Final Four 2003 Cyprus League Champion 2003, 2004, 2005 Eurobasket.com All-Cyprus League Coach of the Year 2003, 2004, 2005 Cyprus Cup Winner 2004 FIBA Europe League All-Star Game 2004 Cyprus League Regular Season Runner-Up 2004 Eurobasket All-FIBA EuropeLeague Coach of the Year 2004 Head Coach: Cyprus National Team 2004-2005 Coach Assistant: FIBA Europe League All-Star Game 2005 Cyprus League Regular Season Champion 2005