Coach Predrag Lukic arrives at Nha Trang Dolphins, officially re-appears at VBA 2023

In the first notable announcement before the VBA 2023 season, Nha Trang Dolphins Club officially announced the new coach, Mr. Predrag Lukic, former captain of Thang Long Warriors and Ho Chi Minh City Wings.

Besides coach Predrag Lukic, Nha Trang Dolphins also announced the remaining members of the coaching staff including assistant coach Nguyen Tran Minh Tri (returning from last season) and assistant coach Nguyen Viet Cuong (who worked with Mr. Luke at Thang Long Warriors).

Last season, Nha Trang Dolphins had the best record since its inception in 2020. The whole army, led by coach Todd Purves, then placed 3rd in the Regular Season (7-5) and entered the Playoffs.

This year they will most likely retain Vietnamese-born player Dominique Tham and some key internal soldiers to make the frame. After that, fans will wait for the team to announce two foreign players to complete the lineup.

On the side of Coach Predrag Lukic, he is a talented captain with the title of Coach of The Year - the best VBA coach in 2019.

Mr. Lukic's 4-year career at Thang Long Warriors has had many ups and downs. Three of the four seasons he led the Warriors to the Playoffs, including once reaching the VBA final (in 2020).

The 2022 season is a pretty big low note for both coach Predrag Lukic and Thang Long Warriors. The team has many personnel disturbances, especially the position of foreign soldiers and makes them sit at home to watch the Playoffs for the first time since the founding of the team.

Coming to Nha Trang Dolphins will be a new challenge for the 37-year-old Serbian captain, as well as a fresh start for him in the VBA arena.

The last time Predrag Lukic did not hold the army at Thang Long Warriors was the season when he suddenly progressed to become the coach of Ho Chi Minh City Wings. This is the team that helped Luka become Coach of The Year.

According to the initial information obtained by Webthethao and TV Basketball, VBA 2023 still retains the number of teams at 7, including Hanoi Buffaloes, Thang Long Warriors, Danang Dragons, Nha Trang Dolphins, Ho Chi Minh City Wings, Cantho Catfish and the defending champion Saigon Heat.

The VBA 2023 season will be held in two phases:

- Phase 1: The competition is concentrated in Hanoi Capital. Teams will compete in a round-robin, scheduled from June 10 to June 30.

- Phase 2: Play in the form of home and away of 7 teams. Expected from July 8 to the end of the season (including Regular Season and Playoffs).

*Note: The plan is still subject to change