Dimitris Itoudis is widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches in European basketball. With a career spanning decades, he has been the strategic mind behind championship teams and a key figure in the tactical evolution of elite basketball. His deep understanding of the game, strategic clarity, and leadership have established him as a reference on the sidelines.
Itoudis began his coaching journey in Croatia while still a student, revealing early on a strong analytical approach to the game. His return to Greece marked a turning point: he became the lead assistant to Željko Obradović at Panathinaikos BC. Over 13 seasons, he played a central role in building a legendary program that captured five EuroLeague titles, defining a golden era for the Athens club.
Alongside his European impact, Itoudis broadened his perspective through NBA Summer League stints with the Orlando Magic, absorbing new methodologies and expanding his global view of the game.
In the 2013–14 season, he took on his first head-coaching challenge with Banvit in Turkey, leading the team to first place in the regular season. Although the playoff run ended in the semifinals, his work resonated across Europe and confirmed his readiness to lead at the highest level.
In 2014, following Ettore Messina’s departure, CSKA Moscow entrusted Itoudis with the project. He quickly changed the club’s trajectory, delivering the EuroLeague title in 2016—CSKA’s first in eight years—and repeating the feat in 2019. Under his leadership, CSKA became one of the continent’s most consistent powerhouses, known for defensive intensity, offensive fluidity, and a relentless winning mentality.
After Russia, Itoudis embraced a new challenge with Fenerbahçe, bringing his expertise in talent development, locker-room management, and tactical structure to one of Europe’s premier clubs.
He also served as head coach of the Greek national team from 2021 to 2023, contributing his experience to international competitions and the continued growth of Greek basketball.
What distinguishes Itoudis is his tactical vision and adaptability. He is a meticulous strategist, adept at reading the game and adjusting systems to team needs. His teams are built on defensive intensity, tempo control, and maximizing individual strengths—principles refined through years alongside Obradović and shaped into his own coaching identity.
With landmark tenures at Panathinaikos, CSKA Moscow, and Fenerbahçe—and leadership at national-team level—Dimitris Itoudis has left an enduring mark on European basketball. His EuroLeague success, elite team management, and deep basketball intellect place him among the defining coaches of the modern era.
Dimitris Itoudis is a professor at iSportCoach, where students can benefit directly from his elite-level experience, EuroLeague-winning methodologies, and strategic approach to coaching high-performance teams.
