Taiwan men's basketball coach Tucci steps down! Stopped at the top 8 of the Asian Games and ended his two-year coaching career

Tucci (right). (Provided by the Basketball Association)

[Reporter Lu Yangxuan/Report from Taipei] The Taiwan men's basketball team stopped at the top 8 of the Nagoya Asian Games and ended up in fifth place. It failed to reach the top four for the third consecutive time. The Basketball Association announced today through a statement that coach Tucci has officially stepped down as head coach. It is widely rumored that he will coach the TPBL Taipei Taishin War Gods, and the next step is also attracting attention.

Italian coach Tucci will take over the Taiwanese men's basketball team in 2024. With the help of naturalized center Gao Baikai and Taiwanese-American brothers He Dan and He Bo, he led the team to fifth place in the Asian Cup last year, marking the best performance since 2013. As a result, the World Cup qualifying round also completed the record of "double defeat" of South Korea, but unfortunately did not advance to the second round. This time, the Nagoya Asian Games lost to the landlord Japan in the top 8, and finally finished fifth. After the Asian Games, Tucci was officially dismissed.

The Basketball Association has completed its reelection this year, and the candidate for the next national team coach has attracted much attention. The Basketball Association today expressed its gratitude to Tucci for his efforts over the past two years. "Coach Tucci has achieved outstanding results for the men's basketball team over the past two years. We are extremely grateful. We wish Coach Tucci all the best in the future and thank him for his contribution to Taiwan's basketball world."

The Basketball Association pointed out that Tucci has been involved in national team training at all stages since he took over the men's basketball team. He has brought many thrilling and exciting battles in the international arena and brought fans full of classic memories. He gets along well with the players, coaching staff, logistics staff and the association work team, and prepares for the national team training. Laying a good foundation, "Everything in the world is a feast that lasts forever. The association would like to express the highest respect and gratitude to Coach Tucci. Thank you for your unreserved dedication and let the world see the resilience and strength of Taiwanese basketball again. I sincerely wish Coach Tucci all the best in his future coaching career and basketball journey!"