Aleksandar Gec


Aleksandar Gec was a Serbian professional basketball player, coach and administrator. He was the first basketball star of Crvena zvezda. He represented the Yugoslavia national basketball team internationally.

Early life

Gec spent his whole lifetime in Belgrade, where he finished his education. He went to the Third Men's Gymnasium.

Playing career

Crvena zvezda

Gec began playing basketball for Crvena zvezda team in 1945, practically since its foundation. With Crvena zvezda he has won the eight Yugoslav National Championships in a row from 1945 until 1953.
In the 1952 Championship Gec averaged 8.5 points per game. He is known for game against Proleter Zrenjanin in 1952. Four seconds before the end of the game, the score was tied when he took responsibility and scored with a shot from half court, but the crowd formed at the scorer's table and the judges ruled to overturn the point and then return the ball to his team. Gec scored winning point from the same place.
After three games in the 1953 Championship Gec felt very bad. Doctors discovered serious illness of the left lung and because of that he finished his playing career with just 25.

Yugoslavia national team

As a player for the Yugoslavia national basketball team Gec participated in 1950 World Championship and two European Championship, 1947 in Prague and 1953 in Moscow.

Coaching career

Gec become a head coach of Crvena zvezda in 1956 where he replaced Nebojša Popović on that position. After 1959 Yugoslav League season Gec left the job. He also coached the Yugoslavia women's national team at 1956 European Women's Basketball Championship in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Administrative career

Gec was President of Crvena zvezda during the 1970s when they won two National Championship, three Yugoslav Cups and the FIBA European Cup Winner's Cup in 1974.
After an Eternal derby in which Partizan won, Partizan fans beat up the few Red Star fans in front of the police who did not intervene. Gec is required to send a protest letter to the Director of Partizan, which was also the Minister of the Interior of Serbia. Gec's Associates declined because of fear, whereupon Gec submitted the irrevocable resignation.

In popular culture

Yugoslav First Basketball League