Kresimir Cosic
(1948-1995)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1996
Card Shown:
1980 Yugoslavia
World of Sport
Position: C
Height: 6’11”
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Kresimir Cosic was a 6’11” center who played basketball like a point guard. He could shoot from distance, handle the ball effectively, and lead the fast break. Kresimir also developed a potent hook shot and turn-around jumper. Cosic had an enthusiasm for the game and his on-court antics made him a favorite of basketball fans everywhere. Television analyst Billy Packer, during an NCAA telecast in 2005, said, “Kresimir Cosic, who played at BYU, is often considered the first great international player to play college basketball in the United States.”
Awards and Honors
- Kresimir and Yugoslavia won World Championships in 1970 in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia and in Manila, Philippines in 1978.
- Cosic, a Croatian, played in four consecutive Olympic Games for the former country of Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia won the silver medal in Mexico City in 1968, played in Munich in 1972, won silver in Montreal in 1976, and Kresimir finished his Olympic career by winning the gold medal in Moscow in 1980. Joining Kresimir on the Yugoslavian team was Hall of Famer Drazen Dalipagic.
- Kresimir and Yugoslavia won three European Championships in Barcelona, Spain in 1973, Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1975, and Liege, Belgium in 1977.
- Cosic’s teams won the Yugoslavian Cup Championship four times and the Italian League Championship twice.
- He was also a six-time champion of the Yugoslavian League.
Points of Interest
- Kresimir enrolled at Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1970 and became the first international player to be named an All-American in 1972 and 1973.
- In 1971-72 Cosic led BYU in scoring at 22.3 points per game and in rebounding with 12.8 per game. The following year he again led the Cougars in scoring (20.2 ppg) and rebounding (9.5 rpg). BYU played in the NCAA Tournament two out of the three years that Cosic played there.
- After his career at BYU concluded, Kresimir had the opportunity to play in the NBA after both the Lakers and Celtics made him offers. He decided, however, to return to the Yugoslavian National Team where he earned $250 per week. He later said, “The thrill of the game is in pure competition, not in the competition that money buys.”
- Starting in 1992, Kresimir served as a deputy ambassador for Croatia to the United States.
- On May 25, 1995 Cosic lost his battle against cancer at the age of 46.
- Kresimir had his number 11 jersey retired by BYU on March 4, 2006 in a halftime ceremony at the Marriott Center.
Statistics
Kresimir Cosic College Statistics
Kresimir Cosic Olympic Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com
Kresimir Cosic Signed Polaroid Photo
