![Krešimir Ćosić biography of Croatian basketball legend - [1], Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons](https://vicomanija.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kresimir_Cosic_1970-1.jpg "Krešimir Ćosić Biography of Croatian basketball legend 1")
Krešimir Ćosić (1948–1995) was a Croatian basketball player and coach whose talent revolutionized basketball in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. He is known as the first basketball player in the world to play in all five positions on the field. During his career, he acquired the status of a sports icon – he was first A foreign player in NCAA history who received the All-American (as a member of the Brigham Young University team). At the end of his life, he also worked as a diplomat and was a prominent member of the Mormon Church. This guide closely follows his life, successes and heritage in Croatian and world basketball.
The beginnings and rise of a young basketball player
Ćosić was born on November 26, 1948 in Zagreb, but grew up in Zadar, a city that He lives for basketball. Already at the age of 16, he started playing for the local club KK Zadar, and in the first five seasons he helped Zadar win Three championships of Yugoslavia (1965, 1967, 1968) – He won his first title at only 17 years old. Already as a teenager, he showed exceptional talent: at the age of 17, he made his debut for the senior national team of Yugoslavia and won silver at the World Cup in the same year (1967).
In 1968, he was invited to the selection of “European national team members”, where he played in a friendly match with Finnish basketball player Veikko Vainiao. Vainio then invited Ćosić to Brigham Young University (BYU) in the USA, where he started studying and playing basketball in 1969 under Coach Stan Watts. Thanks to the NCAA rules, which were then considered foreign professionals for amateurs, Ćosić earned the right to perform at college matches.
American career and BYU Cougars
Ćosić became a legend at BYU – in three seasons (1970-1973) he averaged 19.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He led the Cougars to two WAC conference winners titles and two appearances in the NCAA playoffs. In his junior season, he averaged 22.3 points and 12.8 rebounds, which earned him All-American status – he was the first Non-American player ever with that honor.
During his stay at BYU, today’s Arena Marriott Center was built, because the then hall could no longer accommodate all the fans. Collegiate Coach Stan Watts recalled: “We built the Marriott Center while Ćosić was here. Willard Marriott financially helped the construction, and the rumor was that she built it Watts, paid Marriott, and filled Ćosić.” This saying symbolized the popularity of young Kreša Ćosić on campus.
After college, Ćosić was elected twice in the NBA draft – in 1972 he was chosen by Portland, and in 1973 by the Los Angeles Lakers (plus the fourth round of the ABA Draft). But he rejected professional offers (the Lakers, the Carolina Cougars and the offer in Italy) and returned to Croatia. He wanted to play in his native homeland, which will pay off many times over.
Professional career in Europe
Upon his return in 1973, Ćosić returned to Zadar as a player and sports director. In the first two world championships (1974 and 1975), KK Zadar won two Yugoslav championship titles, thus having a total of five Yugoslav championships as a player (1965, 1967; 1968, 1974, 1975). Later, he continued his career in Olimpija Ljubljana (1976–1978), and in Italy for the team Virtus (Sinudyne) Bologna (1978–1980), where he won Two Italian titles. He spent the end of his active playing career in Zagreb’s Cibona (1980–1983), with which he won the first Yugoslav championship in the history of that club.
During his club career, he stood out for his versatility and technical skill: he had an impressive repertoire of movements in the racket and excellent precision of shot on the hoop, and his stay in the USA further improved his dribbling and play in the open field. He was also singled out by numbers – for BYU he collected 1,512 points (11th place overall) and 919 rebounds (second place).
The national team of Yugoslavia and medals
Ċosić was the heart of the Yugoslav national team for almost two decades. He made his debut at the age of 17, he won silver at the 1967 WC (Montevideo) and silver at the 1968 Olympics (Mexico City). He participated in four oi (1968, 1972, 1976, 1980), and was the captain of the team that won the gold medal in Moscow in 1980. Before that, he led Yugoslavia up to two world titles. (1970 and 1978) and up to three European championship titles (1973, 1975, 1977).
In total, Ćosić won an incredible 14 medals At major international competitions (Olympic Games, WC and Eurobasket), which makes him one of the most awarded basketball players in the world to this day (along with Sergej Belov). He played a record for Yugoslavia 303 matches, which is his absolute national record. He was recognized personally with his games – he was twice chosen as the most useful player of the European Championship (1971 and 1975).
A coaching career and a contribution to young talent
After the end of his active career, Ćosić was also a successful coach. He led the young national team of Yugoslavia and the senior team and won two bronze medals with it at the World Championship (1986) and Eurobasket (1987), and silver at the Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988. After returning to the coaching Voda insisted on the inclusion of young talents – among the players he first invited to the national team are Toni Kukoč, Dino Rađa, Vlade Divac and Dejan Bodiroga, who later became world stars.
Life off the field: diplomacy, faith and writing
Ćosić’s life was intriguing even outside the basketball court. In the early 1990s, during the Homeland War, he served as the first deputy Croatian ambassador in Washington (1992). In this role, he helped better inform the American public about Croatia’s war and interests. For his contribution to peace and reconciliation, he received an American Freedom Award (1993), and his death in 1995 was celebrated in the United States by Croatian and American officials (senator Orrin Hatch read a speech for the postmortem in Congress).
During his studies at BYU, Ćosić addressed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and eventually became one of the most active members of that movement in Croatia. He was baptized by the famous Mormon theologian Hugh Nibley, and in later years he also served as an honorary elder in Croatia. In addition, he was an avid reader and thinker – he always carried a suitcase of books and technological devices with him. Unfortunately, Ćosić died young in 1995 in Baltimore as a result of lymphoma (45 years). He was buried in Zagreb’s Mirogoj, and at his funeral, in the middle of the war, people from the entire former Yugoslavia were present, as a sign of how big a mark he left.
heritage and honors
Statue of Krešimir Ćosić in the northeastern part of the “Hall of Krešimir Ćosić Hall” in Zadar. Ćosić’s legacy in Croatian basketball is still visible today: the National Basketball Cup He bore his name, and the sports hall in Zadar has been “Krešimir Ćosić Hall” since 2008. Before that hall, his name was also carried by the former Višnjik hall – and his statue was placed in front of the new hall (picture above). Basketball historians’ associations included him among the 50 greatest Euroleague personalities, and numerous recognitions are only a confirmation of his size:
- He was another man, and only the third international in general, in Naismith’s Hall of Fame (1996).
- He is a member FIBA Hall of Fame (2007) and College Basketball Hall of Fame (2006), and Utah Hall of Fame (2001) and BYU Hall of Fame (1983).
- Honorable place has 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors (2008) and FIBA 50 Greatest Players (1991).
- He was twice declared the best Croatian athlete of the year (1980), twice the MVP of the European Championship (1971, 1975), and in 2002 he received the state award for lifetime achievement in sports.
- Back in 2006, his jersey was pulled number 11 (the only other BYU basketball player next to Danny Ainga), and in 2010 in the coronation court in Mirogoj.
- He won the total 6 titles of Yugoslavia (with clubs Zadar, Olimpija, Cibona) and 3 cups, Olympic gold (1980) and 2 world golds (1970, 1978) and 3 European championship titles (EuroBasket).
Ćosić left an indelible mark as a man – modest, educated and devoted to his family and faith. Even today, he remains an inspiration to young athletes: he proved that talent, hard work and character can open the door to the greatest achievements on and off the field.
Conclusion
Krešimir Ćosić deservedly stands among the greatest athletes not only of Croatia, but also of the whole of Europe. His comprehensive contribution – From basketball on the floor, through the upbringing of young talents, to diplomatic and spiritual roles – it shows how one person can be embodied in several roles and leave a legacy that is remembered for generations. We hope that this overview of his career and life has revealed details that may not be widely known and that he motivated you to discover more about the life of this legend. Share Your thoughts or memories of Ćosić – and continue to follow and appreciate the history of Croatian basketball!
Cover photo: [1], Public Domain, Via Wikimedia Commons
