Israeli basketball fans are whooping it up as recently resigned Maccabi Tel Aviv coach David Blatt signs head coach position with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is the first time an Israeli will coach an NBA team.

After Blatt led Maccabi Tel Aviv to a stunning upset of Real Madrid in this year’s Euroleague championship, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begged him to stay on as coach. But the American-born, 55-year-old Blatt resigned his post and hoped for an NBA contract instead.

“David is a great basketball coach and a special person. His abilities to communicate, to build relationships with his players and to foster winning environments at several stops throughout Europe and across the highest levels of International competition speaks for itself. He brings unbridled passion, energy and creativity to his craft. These qualities have enabled David to reach a level of success that is truly unique,” said Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin.

Reports say Blatt signed a three-year contract, with an option for a fourth year, in a deal worth up to $20 million. A former player, Blatt built a successful 20-year coaching career including head coaching stints in Israel, Greece, Russia and Turkey. In 1996, he was named Israeli League Coach of the Year, the first of four times he would receive the award throughout his career (1996, 2002, 2011 and 2014). (via Israel21c)

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