Vrbica Stefanov
Vrbica Stefanov (Macedonian: Врбица Стефанов, pronounced [ˈvrbit͡sa ˈstɛfanɔv]; born December 19, 1973) is a retired Macedonian professional basketball player and later was a head coach of Macedonian basketball team Kožuv.[1]
![]() Vrbica Stefanov shooting a free throw at the Eurobasket 2007 qualification. | |
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | Kavadarci, SR Macedonia, SFR Yugoslavia | December 19, 1973
Nationality | Macedonian |
Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Listed weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
Career information | |
NBA draft | 1995 / Undrafted |
Playing career | 1991–2009 |
Position | Point guard |
Coaching career | 2014–2016 |
Career history | |
As player: | |
1991–1992 | Tikveš |
1992–1998 | MZT Skopje |
1998–1999 | Rabotnički Skopje |
1999–2000 | Pınar Karşıyaka |
2000–2001 | AEK Athens |
2001–2005 | Montepaschi Siena |
2005–2006 | Ülkerspor |
2006 | Crvena zvezda |
2006–2007 | Olympiacos |
2007 | Montepaschi Siena |
2007–2008 | Mersin BŞB |
2008–2009 | ViveMenorca |
As coach: | |
2014 | MZT Skopje |
2016 | Kožuv |
2017 | Yeşilgiresun Belediye (assistant) |
Professional career
After starting his basketball career with Tikveš, Stefanov played six seasons with MZT Aerodrom (1992–1998),[2] then passed to Rabotnički (1998–1999), Karsiyaka Izmir (1999–2000, Turkey), AEK Athens (2000–2001, Greece). He then remained for four years in Italy, in the Montepaschi Siena (2001–2005),[3] where he reached a Euroleague Final Four.[4]
He has won the 1998–99 Macedonian National Championship with Rabotnički, the 2001 Greek National Cup with AEK Athens,[5] the 2002 Saporta Cup with Montepaschi Siena, the 2003–04 Italian National Championship with Montepaschi Siena, and the 2005-06 Turkish National Championship with Ülkerspor. He was also the captain of the Macedonian national team and played at the 1999 European Championship and the 2007 European Championship qualification.[6]
After he signed with KK Crvena zvezda, he played only one game, in October 2006 and said that would retire from playing basketball.
In February 2007 he signed for the ACB's ViveMenorca in Spain, for all the remaining season and the following one.[7]
On 23 March 2009, Vrbica Stefanov was awarded the Medal for Service to the Country by the then-president of the Republic of Macedonia Branko Crvenkovski in acknowledgement of his sport achievements and his contribution to developing and popularizing sport in Macedonia as well as promoting the country abroad.
Honors
- Club honors
- Macedonian League - 1999 with Rabotnicki
- Greek Cup - 2001 with AEK
- Saporta Cup - 2002 with Montepaschi
- Italian League - 2004, 2007 with Montepaschi
- Turkish League - 2006 with Ülker
- Individual honors
- Macedonian Sportspersonality of the year - 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
- Greek All Star - 2001
- Italian All Star - 2005
References
- http://www.mztskopjeaerodrom.mk/index.php/novosti-reader/items/vrbica-stefanov-nov-trener-na-mzt-skope.html
- "NLB: Vrbica Stefanov".
- "LEGA, Vrbica Stefanov".
- "Euroleague: Vrbica Stefanov, Montepaschi Siena".
- "AEK.com: Vrbica Stefanov".
- "Eurobasket 2007: Vrbica Stefanov (ARY Macedonia)".
- "Vrbica Stefanov, nuevo base del ViveMenorca". MenorcaBasquet.com (in Spanish). ACB.com. February 17, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
External links
- Vrbica Stefanov at euroleague.net