Jussi Laakso
Crailsheim Merlins
PositionHead coach
LeagueBasketball Bundesliga
Personal information
Born (1976-06-12) 12 June 1976
Riihimäki, Finland
NationalityFinnish
Coaching career1998–present
Career history
As coach:
1998–2001BC Nokia (youth)
2001–2002Lappeenrannan NMKY
2002–2004Catz Lappeenranta (women)
2004–2008NMKY Helsinki (women)
2008–2009Honka Akatemia (women)
2013–2014Tapiolan Honka (women)
2014–2015Tapiolan Honka (youth)
2015–2017Karhu Basket (assistant)
2017–2019Karhu Basket
2019–2023Helsinki Seagulls
2023–presentCrailsheim Merlins
Career highlights and awards
As head coach
  • 3x Finnish Korisliiga champion: (2018, 2019, 2023)
  • 2x Korisliiga Coach of the Year: (2018, 2023)
  • 3x Finnish Cup champion: (2020–2022)
Laakso won the Finnish Championship in 2023 with Helsinki Seagulls

Jussi Tapani Laakso (born 12 June 1976) is a Finnish professional basketball coach, currently working as the head coach of the German Bundesliga side Crailsheim Merlins.[1]

During his career, which has run for 25 years, he has successfully coached girls', women's, boys' and men's teams.

Coaching career

In the beginning of his coaching career, Laakso worked as a youth coach in BC Nokia, and as a coach of Lappeenrannan NMKY and Catz Lappeenranta, before moving to Helsinki area and working as a head coach of women's teams of NMKY Helsinki, Honka Akatemia and Tapiolan Honka.

Karhu Basket Kauhajoki

On 20 May 2015, Laakso was named an assistant coach of Karhu Basket in Kauhajoki.[2] He was named the head coach of the club on 4 February 2017.[3] Laakso led Karhu Basket to win two Finnish championship titles in 2018 and 2019.[4] He was named The Korisliiga Coach of the Year in 2018.

Helsinki Seagulls

Laakso started working as the head coach of Helsinki Seagulls in the summer 2019. In February 2023, it was reported that he will depart the club after the ongoing season.[5][6] His last season with Seagulls ultimately ended in winning the Finnish championship title in 2023.[7]

During his four years with the club, Laakso also led Seagulls to win three Finnish Cups in a row, in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Seagulls also won the bronze medal in the league twice, in 2021 and 2022. After the season in 2023, he was named The Korisliiga Coach of the Year again.[8]

Crailsheim Merlins

After his tenure with Seagulls, Laakso briefly worked in the coaching staff of Finland women's national basketball team,[9] before being appointed as the new head coach of German Bundesliga team Crailsheim Merlins in November 2023.[10]

References

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