Petar Aleksić Takes the Helm at Iraklis BC

Iraklis Thessaloniki has officially announced the appointment of Petar Aleksić as the head coach for the 2024-25 season. Aleksić, a seasoned coach with a wealth of experience and a track record of success in Switzerland and Germany, as well as on the European and international stages, is set to lead the team in their pursuit of their goals for the upcoming season.

Coaching Career Highlights

Petar Aleksić was born on November 2, 1968, in Trebinje. His long tenure in Switzerland led to him acquiring Swiss citizenship. Aleksić began his coaching career in 2004 with the Austrian team BBC Feldkirch Baskets, where he served as a member of the coaching staff until the end of the 2005-2006 season.

In the 2006-2007 season, he took the helm of Union Neuchâtel in Switzerland. The following year, he joined Alba Berlin as an assistant to Luka Pavicevic, celebrating the team's German Championship victory.

After continuing with Alba Berlin for the 2008-2009 season, Aleksić returned to Union Neuchâtel in the 2010-2011 season. He then spent two years with Monthey in Switzerland from 2011 to 2013 and also coached Switzerland's U20 national team in 2012.

From 2013 to 2023, Aleksić was the head coach of Fribourg Olympic, Switzerland’s most successful basketball team. Under his leadership, Fribourg Olympic won six championships (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), five cups (2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), three League Cups (2018, 2020, 2022), and four Super Cups (2016, 2020, 2021, 2022). Aleksić was named Switzerland’s Coach of the Year eight times (2011, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023).

His tenure at Fribourg Olympic also saw the team participate in the Basketball Champions League and the FIBA Europe Cup. Additionally, he served as the head coach of Switzerland’s men's national team from 2013 to 2016, guiding them to a notable victory over Russia during the 2015 EuroBasket qualification.

Playing Career

Before embarking on his coaching career, Aleksić enjoyed a 17-year playing career, competing for various teams across Europe. His playing career included stints with FMP Zeleznik (Serbia), Zalaegerszegi Torna Egylet Kosárlabda Klub (Hungary), Union Neuchatel (Switzerland), BBC Nyon (Switzerland), Leotar Trebinje (Bosnia), NAP Novi Sad (Serbia), KK Zagreb (Croatia), and JUG Dubrovnik (Croatia).