Marek Mejeris returns to VEF, shares thoughts on national team coaches

Basketball player Marek Mejeris became the most experienced member of Latvia's men's national basketball team in 2026, after Jānis Strēlnieks and Dairis Bertāns retired from the squad last year, followed shortly before the August training camp by Dāvis Bertāns. Each of them represented the national team for 15 years. Mejeris, meanwhile, has been part of the national team since the early 21st century, when he began his journey under coach Ainars Bagatskis, including periods when he missed EuroBasket 2017 and the 2023 World Cup.

Return to VEF

For the new season, Mejeris will play for VEF for the third time. He explained that in recent years he played in Romania and a small Polish city, places that were not particularly attractive for settling down. This summer he said he did not seriously look toward southern European clubs, as he wanted to return home, and no offers came from Spain. His career has also included stints in France, Russia, Italy and Israel. He has won the Latvian championship three times with VEF, the Israeli State Cup with Hapoel Jerusalem, as well as a Romanian cup and two Romanian championship titles with Cluj Napoca.

Mejeris noted that VEF is expected to place greater emphasis on local players compared to the Romanian and Polish clubs he played for, which relied heavily on foreign players. He also commented that the growth of club basketball across Europe, driven by increased financing, does not automatically translate into stronger development of local players, though overall rising standards do benefit national teams as well. At least five Latvian clubs will compete in European tournaments this season.

On coaches and the new arena

Discussing the national team's coaching staff, Mejeris named head coach Jānis Gailītis as the best communicator, highlighting his individual approach to players. He described assistant coach Luka Banki as a skilled orator with a strong ability to speak in front of groups and at seminars. Mejeris also spoke positively about the new Team Sports Games Hall, where the national team is currently training, noting that it creates a better sense of togetherness with other national teams.