TEL AVIV (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Israel have unveiled former national team star Oded Katash as their new head coach.

Katash, who steered Israel to a runners-up finish at the U20 European Championship in Greece this summer, takes the helm of a senior team program that suffered a Group Phase knockout as one of the host countries of FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

The Israeli Basketball Association has given Katash a four-year contract, with his first assignment to lead the country in the First Round of the World Cup Qualifiers, which tip off next month.

Katash's Israel finished runners-up at the U20 European Championship

Israel's first three games in Group H will be at home against Estonia on November 24, at Greece on November 27 and at home against Great Britain on February 23.

"We made a statement by handing Oded a four-year contract," said Amos Frishman, the chairman of the the IBA's professional committee. "We are building for the future. Oded isn't a magician and we aren't expecting to see a completely different team next month. We are starting a long-term program in which we want to see younger players become part of the team and go on to achieve success down the road."

While it remains to be seen what the makeup of the Israeli team is next month, Katash will know that he has some interesting options with double-double machine Tamir Blatt looking like a shoe-in for the team after leading the U20 side into the title game.

The point guard averaged more than 16 points and 10 assists in Greece and had a team-high efficiency rating of 20.6. Blatt has learned from the best. His father, David Blatt, coached Russia to FIBA EuroBasket 2007 glory and steered them to bronze at FIBA EuroBasket 2011 and at the 2012 Olympics.

I hope that we can approach our campaign with an objective outlook and understand that we have a long road ahead of us. I believe that we can achieve a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.KatashKatash

Speaking at his press conference, Katash said: "I'm excited and I understand the importance and significance of this job. I know the history of the national team and understand the impact I can make in this job. It was very important to me to get the job for four years because I don't really believe that we can achieve instant results. I'm very happy to be part of this vision and to build the national team from the bottom up."

Katash made a name for himself in the coaching profession when he guided Hapoel Gilboa/Galil to the BSL crown in 2010.

He is stressing the need for everyone to be patient because while there is some burgeoning talent in Israel, success isn't likely to come immediately.

Tamir Blatt looks to have a bright future with Israel's national team

"We have a promising young generation," he said, "but it wouldn't be smart to think that they will solve all the national team's problems."

Katash also said in remarks carried by the Jerusalem Post: "I think that there are risks in every challenge. Unfortunately, there is often a gap between the level of the expectations and the ability to realize them.

"I hope that we can approach our campaign with an objective outlook and understand that we have a long road ahead of us. I believe that we can achieve a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts."

FIBA