Sergio Scariolo joins Roma SPQR as senior advisor
Sergio Scariolo to shape Roma’s coaching direction
Roma SPQR have added a big name to their new project: veteran coach Sergio Scariolo is joining the club in a senior advisory role. The venture, which is backed by Luka Dončić and Donnie Nelson, is taking a steady approach to building a competitive team rather than rushing to sign a roster of stars straight away.
Scariolo won’t be the head coach — that job has already gone to Alessandro Magro — but he’s expected to have a major behind-the-scenes impact. With a résumé that includes top European club jobs and long stints as Spain’s national team coach, Scariolo brings the kind of experience that helps turn an idea into a sustainable basketball operation.
Staffing, players and next steps
One of Scariolo’s early moves could be to bring Stefan Ivanovic into the coaching fold. Ivanovic, who worked with Scariolo last season and has also been part of coaching setups elsewhere in Europe, would be a natural fit as an assistant or development coach to support Magro.
On the player side, Roma are reportedly targeting a mix of seasoned European pros and promising talent. Point guard Nico Mannion is frequently linked with the project and looks set to be a focal point on the court. Other names mentioned include Marko Simonovic, Jesse Edwards and Olivier Hanlan — a group that would offer a balance of experience and upside.
Roma aim to compete in the EuroCup, and that competition will be a real test of how quickly the club’s foundations come together. The reported group includes several solid European sides, and there’s even a chance another high-profile club could join the same group depending on how the final entries shake out.
Overall, the club’s strategy feels deliberate: build a strong coaching and operational base first, then layer in roster pieces. With Dončić and Nelson steering the project and Scariolo advising behind the scenes, Roma are quietly assembling the pieces they’ll need to be competitive across Europe.
