2013 Class of FIBA Hall of Fame: profile of Zoran Slavnic (SRB)

MIES (FIBA Hall of Fame) - On Monday 27 May, FIBA announced the 2013 Class of Inductees of the FIBA Hall of Fame. Over the next three weeks (weekdays from 28 May to 12 June), we will profile all 12 of the inductees. Today we look at Serbia's Zoran Slavnic.

Zoran Slavnic is revered in the land of basketball greats for his steady and at times heroic displays in international competition. The Serbian great is now entering the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Thanks in large part to Slavnic, the former Yugoslavia was a powerhouse in the 1970s and 80s.

A 1.80m point guard nicknamed "Moka", Slavnic also turned in majestic performances with his club sides.

With Red Star Belgrade, where he played for a decade with the senior team, he captured two national league crowns (1969, '72), three national cups ('71, '73, '75) and a Saporta Cup ('74).

For Badalona, Slavic worked his magic and led the team to the Spanish title in 1978.

He enjoyed an incredible run of success with the national side from 1973 to 1980, capturing three European titles, a world championship and Olympic gold, and silver.

One of Slavnic's finest hours came at the 1976 Olympics. Taking on Italy in their fourth game and attempting to bounce back from a heavy defeat to the United States, the Yugoslavians trailed 57-41 at half-time.

Their medal hopes appeared to be evaporating, but Slavnic engineered a famous comeback. Whether it was cutting open the Italian defense with slick passing or scoring 14 points, Slavnic led the way as Yugoslavia overcame the Dino Meneghin-led Azzurri, 88-87.

In the Semi-Finals against the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia battled back from a double-digit deficit in the first half and won, 89-84 with Slavnic contributing eight points and six assists.

A Dean Smith-coached USA ended the Yugoslavians' bid for a gold medal, winning the title game, 95-74, but Slavnic was not to be denied an Olympic gold.

Four years later, he and Yugoslavia reached the top of the podium in Moscow with a gold-medal triumph over Italy.

After his playing career ended, Slavnic entered the coaching profession. Among his many jobs as a tactician was to lead Serbia’s national side in 2007.

Named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991, Slavnic is now to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

FIBA