Emil Rajkovic
Date of Birth: 11/09/1978
Passport: North Macedonia
Languages: All Ex-Yukoslavian, English, Russian, Polish
Watch Full Games
Profile & Coaching Style
Widely regarded among basketball experts as one of the most successful up-and-coming coaches in Europe, Emil Rajković has built a reputation for his tactical brilliance, adaptability, and ability to maximize his teams’ potential. With a career spanning some of Europe’s most competitive leagues, Rajković has consistently delivered results, earning respect from players, fans, and analysts. Rajković’s coaching style is defined by innovation and precision, particularly in his use of the pick-and-roll offense. His success in the VTB League, exemplifies his ability to tailor strategies to his players’ strengths. Combining discipline with creativity, Rajković crafts systems that foster synergy, making his teams both exciting to watch and difficult to beat. Beyond his tactical expertise, Rajković is known for his leadership and focus on player development. He has a proven track record of elevating talent while maintaining a competitive edge in high-stakes environments. His time with elite teams like CSKA Moscow has solidified his status as a key figure in European basketball’s coaching landscape. As his career continues to ascend, Emil Rajković stands out as a visionary leader poised to shape the future of basketball in Europe and beyond.
Coaching Style:
Emil Rajković, is celebrated for his innovative approach to offense, particularly his mastery of the pick-and-roll game. Known for adapting his strategies to his players strengths, Rajković’s ability to extract the maximum potential from his roster has consistently placed him among Europe’s top basketball minds. One of Rajković’s standout recent achievements was breaking the scoring record in the VTB League with CSKA Moscow in season 2022/23 utilizing a dynamic and creative pick-and-roll based offense. At the core of this strategy were elite talents such as Alexey Shved and Nikola Milutinov. Shved, known for his exceptional playmaking and scoring ability, paired seamlessly with Milutinov, a dominant presence in the paint with unmatched efficiency as a roller.
Achievements
Macedonian National Cup (semi finals) -2006-07
Head Coach: FYR Macedonian U16 National Team -2007
European Youth Olympics Festival 7th Place -2007
Head Coach: Macedonian All-Star Game -2007, 08, 09
Macedonian Coach of the Year by Basketball Federation -2008
Macedonian Coach of the Year by Association of Sports Writters and Television -2008
Eurobasket.com All-Macedonian League Coach of the Year -2008, 10, 11
Macedonian National Cup Winner -2008, 10
Macedonian League Champion -2008, 10, 11
Head Coach: FYR Macedonian U20 National Team -2008-09
Macedonian League Finalist -2009, 12, 14
Balkan League Semifinals -2009, 10, 12
Macedonian League Regular Season Champion -2008, 09, 11
Macedonian Cup Winner -2008
Macedonian Cup Semifinals -2009, 11
European Championship U20 Division B in Skopje (FYR Macedonia) -2009
Macedonian League Regular Season Runner-Up -2010, 12, 14
Eurobasket.com All-Balkan League Coach of the Year -2011
Balkan League Champion -2011
Macedonian Cup Finalist -2012
Macedonian League Semifinals -2013
Coach Assistant: FYR Macedonian National Team -2014
Polish Supercup Finalist -2015
Macedonian Supercup Winner -2017
Polish League Semifinals -2017 (Bronze)
Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Coach of the Year -2017
Polish League Regular Season Runner-Up -2018
Polish League Finalist -2018
Kazakhstan Cup Winner -2019, 20, 21
Eurobasket.com All-VTB League Coach of the Year -2019, 23
Asia-Basket.com All-Kazakhstan League Coach of the Year -2019, 20, 21
Kazakhstan League Regular Season Champion -1999, 20, 21
Kazakhstan League Champion -2019, 21
Head Coach: Kazakhstan National Team -2020-21
VTB Supercup Finalist -2023
VTB United League Regular Season Champion -2023
VTB United League Semifinals -2023
Basketball Career Head Coach
2006-2007: Feni Indistrija Kavadarci (Superleague)
2007-2008: Feni Indistrija Kavadarci (Superleague)
2008-2009: Feni Indistrija Kavadarci (Superleague)
2009-2010: Feni Indistrija Kavadarci (Superleague)
2010-2011: Feni Indistrija Kavadarci (Superleague)
2011-2012: Feni Indistrija Kavadarci (Superleague)
2012-2013: KK Fersped-Rabotnicki Skopje (Prva Liga)
2013-2014: KK Rabotnicki AD Skopje (Prva Liga)
2014-2015: WKS Slask Wroclaw (Poland-TBL)
2015-2016: WKS Slask Wroclaw (Poland-TBL)
2016-2017: KK MZT Skopje Aerodrom (Prva Liga), left shortly, in Oct.'16 signed at BM Slam Stal Ostrow Wlkp. (Poland-TBL)
2017-2018: BM Slam Stal Ostrow Wlkp. (Poland-PLK)
2018-2019: BK Astana (Kazakhstan-National League)
2020-2021: BK Astana (Kazakhstan-National League), left in May'21
2021-2022: Avtodor Saratov (Russia-VTB United League)
2022-2023: CSKA Moscow (Russia-VTB United League)
2023-2024: PBC CSKA Moscow (Russia-VTB United League)
2025-2026: Tofas Bursa (Turkey-BSL)
Player Career
1996-1997: Godel Rabotnicki Skopje
1997-1998: Kumanovo
1998-1999: Godel Rabotnicki Skopje
1999-2000: Godel Rabotnicki Skopje: 6.9ppg, 1.5apg
2000-2001: Godel-Rabotnicki Skopje: 3.1ppg
2001-2002: Godel-Rabotnicki Skopje: NEBL stats: 14 games: 1.5ppg, 6reb, 2ast
2002-2003: Vardar Imperial Skopje, in Jan.'03 moved to Near East (Greece): 4 games: 0pts, 1reb2003-2004: MZT Skopje (D1)
Player Achievements
Macedonian Junior National Team -1995-97
Macedonian Cadet National Team -1995 (Semifinals)
Adidas World Championship Semifinals -1995 (Bronze)
Macedonian Cup Finalist -1996, 99, 00, 01, 02
Macedonian League Champion -1996, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02
Macedonian National Team -1999-03
European Championship in France -1999
Macedonian League Finalist -2000
National Team
2006 Head Coach of North Madeconia U16 National team EYOF-Youth Olympiad
2007 Head Coach of North Macedonia U20 National Team- European Championship
2008 Head Coach of North Macedonia U20 National Team - European Championship
2014 Head Coach of North Macedonia Senior National Team
2020-2021 Head Coach of Kazakhstan National Team - FIBA Asia qualifiers