Slobodan Ivković


Slobodan "Piva" Ivković was a Serbian professional basketball player and coach.

Professional playing career

Ivković played club basketball at the senior level in the club Radnički Belgrade. He was well-talented player with much better physical capabilities, but nobody managed to stabilize him as a player. Besides that, he had weak sight, which was a serious problem since in those times many games were played outside, during the night.

Coaching career

Ivković was one of the first Serbian coaches that went to school in the USA. He was the founder of creation of modern coach organization in the former Yugoslavia. He coached in the following clubs: Radnički Belgrade, OKK Belgrade, MZT Skopje and clubs in Kuwait and in the United Arab Emirates.

Personal life

Ivković's younger brother Dušan is a former basketball player and FIBA Hall of Fame coach.
Ivković is related to the famous Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla. Ivković's maternal grandmother Olga Mandić and Tesla were first cousins.
A memorial tournament named after him is held in Belgrade. The organizer is the basketball club Radnički.

Career achievements as a head coach