Branislav Prelevic
Encyclopedia
Branislav "Bane" Prelević (Serbian
: Бранислав Прелевић Бане, , born December 19, 1966 in Belgrade
, FR Yugoslavia) is a retired Serbia
n-Greek
professional basketball
player. Prelević was born to Serbian parents in Belgrade
, SR Serbia
, Yugoslavia
. Prelević holds Serbian-Greek dual citizenship because of having Hellenic ancestry.
. In 1988, at age 21, he moved to Greece in order to be able to play for PAOK BC
, where he spent eight seasons.
Then 21-year old Branislav Prelević debuted in the 1988-89 season. He became the definitive leader and a fan favorite, often compared to the great Nick Galis
, who was at the time the captain of Aris BC
. Prelevic was often quoted for his loyalty to the team. He had a number of injuries and medical emergencies because of weak legs, but he would constantly choose to take heavy dosages of painkillers, rather than missing out on any important games.
Playing for PAOK BC
, Branislav Prelević won the European Cup Winners' Cup
when PAOK defeated CAI Zaragoza
in Geneva
76-72 on March 26, 1991.
http://web.mit.edu/eavgoust/WWW/PAOK/PAOK_history/1990-1991.html
The next season, Branislav Prelević was again the leader of PAOK BC
and the team reached the European Cup Winners' Cup
final again but lost to Real Madrid
63-65.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_GSf9wrCdHBkDZZk9UQoqE3.roundID_2542.season_1992.teamID_1003.playerID_2647.html. In the same year PAOK won the Greek Championship
, beating out Olympiacos
.
Prelević participated in the 1992-93 European Champion's Cup
for the first time and managed to reach the Athens Final Four. PAOK lost in the semi final game to Benetton Treviso
, which was led by superstar Toni Kukoč
, by a score of 77-79.http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1003&roundID=2564&compID={FDEF400B-42F1-4EC2-8D63-415FC773A917}&season=1993
In 1994, Prelević and PAOK returned to European success by winning the Korać Cup
two-leg final against Pallacanestro Trieste
, winning both at home and away by 9 points.http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1003&roundID=2549&compID={5B6A5DA2-8C1B-462C-B971-E9EE89F1C6EC}&season=1994 The following year, PAOK won the Greek Cup
in a 19 point victory against Panionios
72-53. In 1996 he was a European Cup
Finalist.http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1003&roundID=2546&compID={41CA49EB-5327-44BB-8D8E-3B8979ACB43B}&season=1996
.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1315&roundID=2568&compID={FDEF400B-42F1-4EC2-8D63-415FC773A917}&season=1997
. Prelević reached the European Champions' Cup
Final Four in Barcelona
in 1998, and beat Benetton Treviso
by a score of 69-66, before losing in the final to Virtus Bologna
by a score of 44-58.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1342&roundID=2569&compID={FDEF400B-42F1-4EC2-8D63-415FC773A917}&season=1998 In 1998 and 1999, Branislav Prelević was a Greek Cup
finalist.
and he then quit basketball at the end of the season.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1003&roundID=2571&compID={FDEF400B-42F1-4EC2-8D63-415FC773A917}&season=2000 He later returned to PAOK in the 2001–2002 season as an assistant coach.
Serbian Cyrillic alphabet
The Serbian Cyrillic alphabet is an adaptation of the Cyrillic script for the Serbian language, developed in 1818 by Serbian linguist Vuk Karadžić. It is one of the two standard modern alphabets used to write the Serbian language, the other being Latin...
: Бранислав Прелевић Бане, , born December 19, 1966 in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, FR Yugoslavia) is a retired Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n-Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. Prelević was born to Serbian parents in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, SR Serbia
Socialist Republic of Serbia
Socialist Republic of Serbia was a socialist state that was a constituent country of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It is a predecessor of modern day Serbia, which served as the biggest republic in the Yugoslav federation and held the largest population of all the Yugoslav...
, Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
. Prelević holds Serbian-Greek dual citizenship because of having Hellenic ancestry.
PAOK BC
He started his career with Red Star BelgradeKK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
. In 1988, at age 21, he moved to Greece in order to be able to play for PAOK BC
PAOK BC
P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki B.C. is the professional basketball department of the Greek multi-sports club P.A.O.K., originally founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club has established a firm reputation in Greek sports, especially for its success in European leagues...
, where he spent eight seasons.
Then 21-year old Branislav Prelević debuted in the 1988-89 season. He became the definitive leader and a fan favorite, often compared to the great Nick Galis
Nick Galis
Nikolaos Georgalis , commonly known as either Nikos Galis , or Nick Galis , is a retired Greek professional basketball player...
, who was at the time the captain of Aris BC
Aris BC
Aris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
. Prelevic was often quoted for his loyalty to the team. He had a number of injuries and medical emergencies because of weak legs, but he would constantly choose to take heavy dosages of painkillers, rather than missing out on any important games.
Playing for PAOK BC
PAOK BC
P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki B.C. is the professional basketball department of the Greek multi-sports club P.A.O.K., originally founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club has established a firm reputation in Greek sports, especially for its success in European leagues...
, Branislav Prelević won the European Cup Winners' Cup
Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
when PAOK defeated CAI Zaragoza
Basket Zaragoza 2002
Basket Zaragoza 2002 S. A. D., more commonly known as CAI Zaragoza by sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball team based in Zaragoza, Aragón, who currently plays in Liga ACB. It does it at Pabellón Príncipe Felipe.- History :...
in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
76-72 on March 26, 1991.
http://web.mit.edu/eavgoust/WWW/PAOK/PAOK_history/1990-1991.html
The next season, Branislav Prelević was again the leader of PAOK BC
PAOK BC
P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki B.C. is the professional basketball department of the Greek multi-sports club P.A.O.K., originally founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club has established a firm reputation in Greek sports, especially for its success in European leagues...
and the team reached the European Cup Winners' Cup
Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
final again but lost to Real Madrid
Real Madrid Baloncesto
Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish professional basketball team founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ....
63-65.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_GSf9wrCdHBkDZZk9UQoqE3.roundID_2542.season_1992.teamID_1003.playerID_2647.html. In the same year PAOK won the Greek Championship
A1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
, beating out Olympiacos
Olympiacos BC
Olympiacos B.C. , also known simply as Olympiacos and Olympiacos Piraeus, is a Greek professional basketball club, part of Olympiacos CFP, based in Piraeus. The basketball club, founded in 1931, is one of the most successful in Greece and a traditional powerhouse in European competitions...
.
Prelević participated in the 1992-93 European Champion's Cup
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
for the first time and managed to reach the Athens Final Four. PAOK lost in the semi final game to Benetton Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso, more often known by its sponsorship name of Benetton Basket, or Benetton Treviso, is an Italian Serie A League professional basketball club from Treviso, the headquarters city of its longtime owner Benetton Group...
, which was led by superstar Toni Kukoč
Toni Kukoc
Toni Kukoč is a retired Croatian professional basketball player. He was renowned for his versatility and passing ability; although his natural position was small forward, he played all five positions on the court with prowess and demonstrated court vision and an outside shooting touch that were...
, by a score of 77-79.http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1003&roundID=2564&compID={FDEF400B-42F1-4EC2-8D63-415FC773A917}&season=1993
In 1994, Prelević and PAOK returned to European success by winning the Korać Cup
Korac Cup
The Korać Cup was an annual basketball club competition held by FIBA between the 1971-72 and 2001-02 seasons. It was the third-tier level club competition in European basketball, after the European Champions' Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup...
two-leg final against Pallacanestro Trieste
Pallacanestro Trieste
Pallacanestro Trieste 2004, also known for sponsorship reasons as Acegas A.P.S. Trieste is an Italian professional basketball team from the town of Trieste....
, winning both at home and away by 9 points.http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1003&roundID=2549&compID={5B6A5DA2-8C1B-462C-B971-E9EE89F1C6EC}&season=1994 The following year, PAOK won the Greek Cup
Greek basketball Cup
The Greek Basketball Cup or Hellenic Basketball Cup is an annual pro basketball national cup competition. It is organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation .-History and format:...
in a 19 point victory against Panionios
Panionios Forthnet
Panionios B.C. is the Greek professional basketball club that plays its home games in Nea Smyrni, Athens, Greece. The club is also widely known as Πανιώνιος Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Σμύρνης, or Panionios Gymnastikos Syllogos Smyrnis, which is the Pan-Ionian Gymnastic Association of Smyrna. This is...
72-53. In 1996 he was a European Cup
Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
Finalist.http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1003&roundID=2546&compID={41CA49EB-5327-44BB-8D8E-3B8979ACB43B}&season=1996
Virtus Bologna
In 1996 he moved to Italy to play for Virtus BolognaVirtus Bologna
-Notable players: Marco Bonamico 9 seasons: '75-'76, '77-'78, '80-'86, '88-'89 Carlo Caglieris 6 seasons: '75-'81 Pietro Generali 6 seasons: '75-'76, '78-'83 Gianni Bertolotti 5 seasons: '75-'80 Terry Driscoll 3 seasons: '75-'78 Eric Luc Leclerc 1 season: '75-'76 Luigi Serafini 2 seasons: '75-'77...
.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1315&roundID=2568&compID={FDEF400B-42F1-4EC2-8D63-415FC773A917}&season=1997
AEK BC
In 1997 he returned to Greece and played for AEK Athens BCAEK Athens BC
AEK BC , the Athletic Union of Constantinople, is a Greek professional sports basketball club based in Athens, Greece. The club was established in Athens in 1924 by Greek refugees from Constantinople in the wake of the Greco-Turkish War ....
. Prelević reached the European Champions' Cup
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
Final Four in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
in 1998, and beat Benetton Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso, more often known by its sponsorship name of Benetton Basket, or Benetton Treviso, is an Italian Serie A League professional basketball club from Treviso, the headquarters city of its longtime owner Benetton Group...
by a score of 69-66, before losing in the final to Virtus Bologna
Virtus Bologna
-Notable players: Marco Bonamico 9 seasons: '75-'76, '77-'78, '80-'86, '88-'89 Carlo Caglieris 6 seasons: '75-'81 Pietro Generali 6 seasons: '75-'76, '78-'83 Gianni Bertolotti 5 seasons: '75-'80 Terry Driscoll 3 seasons: '75-'78 Eric Luc Leclerc 1 season: '75-'76 Luigi Serafini 2 seasons: '75-'77...
by a score of 44-58.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1342&roundID=2569&compID={FDEF400B-42F1-4EC2-8D63-415FC773A917}&season=1998 In 1998 and 1999, Branislav Prelević was a Greek Cup
Greek basketball Cup
The Greek Basketball Cup or Hellenic Basketball Cup is an annual pro basketball national cup competition. It is organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation .-History and format:...
finalist.
Return to PAOK
In 1999, Bane Prelevic returned to PAOK BCPAOK BC
P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki B.C. is the professional basketball department of the Greek multi-sports club P.A.O.K., originally founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club has established a firm reputation in Greek sports, especially for its success in European leagues...
and he then quit basketball at the end of the season.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&playerID=2647&teamID=1003&roundID=2571&compID={FDEF400B-42F1-4EC2-8D63-415FC773A917}&season=2000 He later returned to PAOK in the 2001–2002 season as an assistant coach.
PAOK Greece
- 1992 Greek ChampionshipA1 EthnikiThe Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
- 1993 Greek ChampionshipA1 EthnikiThe Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
2nd place - 1994 Greek ChampionshipA1 EthnikiThe Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
2nd place - 1995 Greek CupGreek basketball CupThe Greek Basketball Cup or Hellenic Basketball Cup is an annual pro basketball national cup competition. It is organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation .-History and format:...
PAOK Europe
- 1989–1990 Cup Winners' CupSaporta CupSaporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
Semifinal - 1990–1991 European Cup Holder's CupSaporta CupSaporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
Winner - 1991–1992 European Cup Holder's CupSaporta CupSaporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
Finalist - 1992–1993 European Champion's CupEuroleagueEuroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
3rd place - 1993–1994 Korać CupKorac CupThe Korać Cup was an annual basketball club competition held by FIBA between the 1971-72 and 2001-02 seasons. It was the third-tier level club competition in European basketball, after the European Champions' Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup...
Winner - 1995–1996 European CupSaporta CupSaporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
Finalist