Nearly two months have passed since Melbourne United head coach Dean Vickerman announced his departure, but the club’s search for his replacement has now taken them to the NBA.
Vickerman, who guided United to multiple championships during a highly successful tenure, left the NBL to take over reigning Japanese B.League champions Nagasaki Velca, replacing former New Zealand Breakers coach Mody Maor.
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Since then, Melbourne has been tasked with filling one of the biggest coaching vacancies in Australian basketball.
The club has been linked to several high-profile candidates in recent weeks, including former Paris Basketball head coach Francesco Tabellini, who parted ways with the European powerhouse back in March.
However, Fox Sports Australia understands another intriguing name has emerged on United’s shortlist, long-time Denver Nuggets assistant coach Ognjen Stojakovic.
The 44-year-old Serbian has spent more than a decade with the Nuggets organisation, steadily climbing through the ranks after joining the franchise as a video co-ordinator ahead of the 2013-14 season.
Stojakovic later served as a player development coach and director of player development before being promoted to Denver’s NBA coaching staff in 2021, a role he still holds today.
Known throughout basketball circles as “Ogi”, Stojakovic has built a strong reputation for his player development work and basketball IQ.
He has also spent time with the Serbian national team, helping guide Serbia to a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup before claiming bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Unsurprisingly, Stojaković also has strong ties to Australian basketball and the NBL. He is close friends with Adelaide 36ers assistant coach Marko Marinović, with both coaches having worked under legendary Serbian mentor Svetislav Pešić at international level.
Marinović, who helped Serbia secure a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is currently part of the 36ers coaching staff, giving Stojaković an existing connection to the Australian basketball landscape should he make the move to United.
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Perhaps most notably, Stojakovic has developed a close working relationship with three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic during their time together in Denver.
His influence on Jokic’s development has earned him widespread respect throughout the NBA, with some even referring to him as the “Jokic whisperer”.
For Melbourne United, securing a coach of Stojakovic‘s calibre would represent a significant statement of intent.
Sources indicate the club has genuine interest in pursuing the Serbian assistant, although it remains unclear whether formal discussions regarding the head coaching position have taken place.
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With July approaching and several rival NBL clubs already well advanced in their roster planning, United will be eager to finalise their coaching appointment sooner rather than later.
Whether the club ultimately lands Stojakovic, Tabellini, or another candidate altogether, Melbourne appears determined to cast its net globally as it searches for the right person to lead the next chapter of one of the NBL’s premier franchises.
After losing one of the league’s most successful coaches in Vickerman, United know they have big shoes to fill. But if either Stojakovic or Tabellini can be secured, it would signal the club remains firmly focused on competing for championships in the seasons ahead.