David Blatt, who guided Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv to the 2014 Euroleague Championship, was named the new coach of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
Blatt takes over from Mike Brown who was sacked in May after the Cavs' 33-49 season.
Blatt, 55, guided perennial powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv to a 54-18 record this season, winning the Israel League, Israeli Cup and the Euroleague title.
During his six years as head coach (2001-03 and 2010-2014), Blatt led the team to six Israeli Cup Championships and five Israeli League Championships.
Blatt also spent six years as head coach of the Russian National Team, where in 2007, he guided Russia to a FIBA European Championship over then reigning World Champion Spain in Madrid.
He guided Russia to the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Blatt, a Massachusetts native, spent 33 years as a player and coach in Europe after playing at the college level at Princeton University.
Sports network ESPN reported that the Cavaliers gave Blatt a four-year, $US20 million ($A21.6 million) contract.
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