One of Rome’s Two New Clubs Targets Sergio Scariolo to Lead Its Ambitious Project

The Italian basketball scene is experiencing unusual turbulence this summer. Two new franchises based in Rome, Maxima Roma and Roma SPQR, are in the midst of building their rosters ahead of their respective debuts in the EuroCup and LBA during the 2026-2027 season. Both clubs are working to finalize their coaching staffs and rosters before the start of competition.

On the Maxima Roma side, the trail leading to Sergio Scariolo (65) is gaining traction. According to a recent report from the Corriere dello Sport, the club has shifted its search toward the Brescia native, after initially courting another EuroLeague icon, Ettore Messina. Freshly approved by the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP), Maxima Roma sees in Scariolo, who just spent a season at the helm of Real Madrid, the ideal personality to stabilize a roster that inherits players from the sporting transfer of… Brescia, the club from his hometown.

🚨 Maxima Roma targets Sergio Scariolo for head coaching job

The new italiani club has turned its attention to the former Real Madrid coach after Ettore Messina

Maxima Roma is targeting Sergio Scariolo for its head coaching position. According to Fabrizio Fabbri of Corriere… pic.twitter.com/CtpMrZHL6T

— Alessandro Luigi Maggi (@AlessandroMagg4) July 18, 2026

Roma SPQR Takes Shape with Milicic and Mannion as Cornerstones of the Project

For its part, Roma SPQR, the club backed by Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic, is also making progress on its foundations. Club officials are reportedly working to officially appoint Igor Milicic – the Poland national team head coach – as head coach. On the roster front, the franchise has already secured its marquee signing by confirming the arrival of guard Nico Mannion as its first major addition.

These two Roman projects reflect a significant shift in Italian basketball, which is seeing the emergence of well-funded clubs with high-profile names while simultaneously losing historic franchises. It remains to be seen whether the rushed construction of these rosters will hamper their competitiveness from the very first season.