Coach Melzin "Mel" Lazimi

Originally from Tirana, Albania, Coach Mel Lazimi brings an impressive background in basketball coaching. He is starting his second year with Above. He has led top Albanian teams, including SK Tirana, Goga Basket, and KS Teuta, to numerous league titles and national cups. Notably, he guided SK Tirana to its first Balkan League appearance and achieved an undefeated season with Goga Basket, earning Eurobasket's Coach of the Year award twice.

Lazimi has also coached Albania's youth national teams, winning bronze medals in the European Championships with the U18 and U20 squads. Additionally, he completed the FIBA Europe Coaching Certification, one of the continent's premier basketball coaching qualifications.