Aleksandar Nikolić
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Aleksandar Nikolić (Александар Николић; October 28, 1924 – March 12, 2000) was a renowned basketball player and coach from Yugoslavia. He was so instrumental and important to the game's development in the country that he is often referred to as the Father of Yugoslav basketball.
Nikolić was born in Sarajevo, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, but moved to the capital Belgrade at a young age. He studied medicine and law at the University of Belgrade, graduating in 1946.
However, Nikolić had a real passion for basketball. As a player, he spent time with Obilić, KK Partizan, Red Star Belgrade and BASK. Nikolić was a member of the Yugoslav national basketball team during the late 1940s.
After his playing career was over, he became involved with coaching, both with Serbia-based clubs and those in Italy, notably Pallacanestro Varese. Nikolić was head coach of the Yugoslav national squad between 1951 and 1965, and later between 1976 and 1978. During this time, he coached two future Hall of Famers in Borislav Stanković and Krešimir Ćosić.
Aleksandar Nikolić has many medals, both from domestic and international competition, to his credit. He died on March 12, 2000 in Belgrade.
Nikolić was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
[edit] Clubs
- KK Partizan
- Red Star Belgrade
- BASK
- Pallacanestro Varese (1966-1980)
