Aleksandar Nikolić


Aleksandar "Aca" Nikolić was a Serbian professional basketball player and coach. He was also a professor at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Sport and Physical Education. He is often referred to as the Father of Yugoslav Basketball.
The future basketball coaches taught by Nikolić include Božidar Maljković, Dušan Ivković, Bogdan Tanjević, Željko Obradović, etc. Nikolić was nicknamed The Professor, Iron Sergeant, and The father of Yugoslav basketball. Nikolić was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 1998, and into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2008, he was named one of the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors.

Early life

Though his parents lived in Brčko, Nikolić was born in Sarajevo, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, due to his pregnant mother, Krista, suddenly going into labour while visiting her sister in Sarajevo. Young Aleksandar enjoyed a privileged upbringing courtesy of his wealthy father, Đorđe Nikolić, who had him at the age of 62. After spending the first few years of his life in Brčko, Nikolić moved with his family to the capital Belgrade, where he would grow up.
Nikolić attended the Kralj Aleksandar gymnasium at the Belgrade neighbourhood of Banovo Brdo. He then studied medicine and law at the University of Belgrade, graduating in 1946.

Playing career

Club playing career

Nikolić always had a real passion for basketball. As a club player, he competed for Partizan, Crvena Zvezda, Železničar Čačak, and BSK Beograd. He won the Yugoslav League championships in 1947, 1948, and 1949, with Crvena Zvezda.

National team playing career

Nikolić was also a member of the senior Yugoslav national basketball team during the late 1940s, playing in 10 games.

Coaching career

Club coaching career

After his playing career was over, Nikolić became involved with coaching, both with Serbia-based clubs, and those in Italy, notably Ignis Varese.

National team coaching career

Nikolić was also the head coach of the senior Yugoslav national squad, between 1951 and 1965, and later between 1977 and 1978. During this time, he coached two future members of the FIBA Hall of Fame, in Borislav Stanković and Krešimir Ćosić. Under his leadership, Yugoslavia won the gold medals at the 1978 FIBA World Championship and the 1977 EuroBasket; silver medals at the 1963 FIBA World Championship, 1961 EuroBasket, and 1965 EuroBasket, and a bronze medal at the 1963 EuroBasket.

Death

Nikolić died on 12 March 2000, in Belgrade. He is buried in the at Belgrade's New Cemetery. After his death, Aleksandar Nikolić Hall was named after him, in his honor.

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