Andrew Vlahov

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Andrew Vlahov

Position	Forward
Nickname	Hoff
Height	200cm
Weight	108kg
Nationality	Australia
Born	April 1, 1969 Perth, Western Australia
College/University	Stanford University
NBL Debut	1991
Final NBL Game	2002
Previous NBL Clubs	Perth Wildcats 1991-2002
NBL Championships	1991, 1995, 2000
Career Highlights	1991 NBL Rookie of the Year 1995 Grand Final MVP 1992, 1995 NBL's First Team 1998 NBL's 20th Anniversary Team Boomers Olympic Squad Member (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000)

Andrew Vlahov (born April 1, 1969 in Perth, Australia) is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1991 through till the 2001/2002 season. Currently Vlahov is a part owner of the Perth Wildcats and is on the NBL's Board of Directors^[1].

Contents 1 Playing Career 2 Post-Playing Career 3 Trivia 4 References

[edit] Playing Career

Andrew Vlahov attended Stanford University in the USA before being signed by the Perth Wildcats where he played his entire NBL career. A stellar first season with the Wildcats saw Vlahov awarded with the NBL's Rookie of the Year award. Vlahov replaced Mike Ellis as the captain of the club in 1993 after only two seasons in the NBL and remained so until his retirement.

Vlahov is a four-time Olympian playing with the Boomers at the 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games ^[2].

[edit] Post-Playing Career

While still on the playing roster with the Wildcats, Vlahov teamed up with ex-Chicago Bulls player and fellow West Australian Luc Longley to purchase the Wildcats franchise from owner Kerry Stokes^[3]. Once Longley pulled out of the venture Vlahov was the majority shareholder of the club (with Mack Hall holding a small minority of shares) until the completion of the 2005/2006 season when West Australian Jack Bendat took over the club. Vlahov has since become the Managing Director of the franchise ^[4].

In his time as owner of the Wildcats, Vlahov was instrumental in the NBL's push into the Asian market including match telecasts to Asian countries and the now annual "Singapore Spectacular" (a regular season match where the Wildcats play host to another NBL team in Singapore)^[5].

He is of Croat origin.

[edit] Trivia

• As captain of the Perth Wildcats his alternate nickname was 'the Skipper'.
• He appears in commercials for Kingsize Menswear - a franchise which specialises in clothing for men of large stature ^[6].
• Played 347 NBL Games during his career ^[7].
• His #21 jersey is one of six jerseys that have been retired by the Wildcats and is displayed at Challenge Stadium during Wildcats home games.

Preceded by Mike Ellis	Captain of the Perth Wildcats 1993-2002	Succeeded by Ricky Grace
Preceded by Justin Cass	NBL Rookie of the Year 1991	Succeeded by Lachlan Armfield

[edit] References