Tribute to the legends: Vinko Jelovac

Long time player of the Ljubljana club Vinko Jelovac is for sure one of the greatest players from former Yugoslavia and he also remained in best memory to the fans of the Dragons across Slovenia and former country.

Vinko Jelovac, legendary Cedevita Olimpija player, owns both Slovenian and Croatian passport. Back in the days, when he used to be playing and filling the baskets of opponents and picking up rebounds, he was famous as one of the best tall players of former Yugoslavia. The number of his appearances in the Yugoslavia national team jersey says it all. Jelovac used to defend the colours of Yugoslavia in no less than 240 games and this puts him on top amongst all of the Slovenian players.

The Istrian player from the village of Jelovci near Pazin won three European championship trophies and one World Championship trophy, while he won the silver at the Olympic Games in Montreal and was twice selected the Slovenian Sportsman of the Year. He won his only World Championship medal in 1970 in Ljubljana.

Jelovac spent 17 seasons as a player with the Ljubljana club and won seven major trophies with Cedevita Olimpija. After the end of his career he used to be working as head coach, first at Slovan, then he moved to Olimpija, which he brough back into the top division of Yugoslavian club basketball in 1985. Afterwards he coached in Osijek, Palermo and Sardinia. Jelovac was a very important person on the way of establishing another former player and coach of the Dragons, Jure Zdovc, when the latter was making his first professional basketball steps.

Jelovac played his last game on 5 December 1982 in front of packed stands of the Tivoli Hall in Ljubljana. The fans have given him a sweet goodbye by chanting “We are Vinko’s, Vinko is ours!” and at the end of the game, Vinko has given his captain’s position to another giant of Slovenian basketball and Ljubljana club, Peter Vilfan.

Vinko Jelovac is enjoying his well-deserved retirement in Croatia and he is still active as businessman. In 2012 he was inducted into the Slovenian sports Hall of fame.