Dražen Dalipagić, one of the greatest European basketball players of all time, has passed away at the age of 74, writes Sportklub.
This information was also shared on the official website by Basketball Club (KK) Partizan, the team where Dalipagić spent most of his career.
"And that day had to come... The day the great Praja left. After a long and serious illness, Dražen Dalipagić passed away this morning in Belgrade. The best scorer in the history of BC Partizan, a former member of the Yugoslav national team, a legend of world basketball and a man of inimitable character," reads the announcement from BC Partizan.
Dalipagić was born in Mostar on November 27, 1951, is a member of the Hall of Fame and winner of the biggest competitions at the club and national team level.
He was an Olympic, world and European champion. He was selected among the 50 people who brought the most to the Euroleague and among FIBA's 50 greatest players.
He won gold in 1978, silver in 1974, and bronze in 1982 and 1986 at the World Championships. He won gold in 1980, silver in 1976, and bronze in 1984 at the Olympic Games. He won gold in 1973, 1975, and 1977 at the European Championships, silver in 1981, and bronze in 1979.
He was named the best basketball player of the 1977 European Championship, and the best basketball player in Europe in 1977, 1978, and 1980. The sports newspaper "Sport" named him the best athlete in Yugoslavia, awarding him the Golden Badge in 1978.
The Italian basketball magazine Superbasket awarded him the “Mr. Europa” award twice, in 1977 and 1978, an award given to the best European basketball player, regardless of whether he plays on the Old Continent or not. In 1980, he received the Euroscar basketball award.
Apart from Partizan, Dražen Dalipagić also played for Real Madrid, Udine, Venice, Verona and Red Star, where he ended his career in 1991.
After his career, Dalipagić also worked as a basketball coach in Serbia, Italy, and North Macedonia.
He was married and the father of two children.
"The time and place of Dražen Prajo Dalipagić's funeral will be announced later," reads the official statement from BC Partizan.
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