Predrag Benaček

Predrag Benaček (born 29 March 1959) is a Bosnian professional basketball coach and former player who is the current head coach for Olomoucko of the Czech National League.

Predrag Benaček

Olomoucko
Position	Head coach
League	Czech National League
Personal information
Born	29 March 1959 Sarajevo, PR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia
Nationality	Bosnian / Slovenian
Listed height	2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
Listed weight	96 kg (212 lb)
Career information
NBA draft	1981 / Undrafted
Playing career	1975–1996
Position	Power forward
Number	6, 8
Coaching career	1996–present
Career history
As player:
1975–1988	Bosna
1988–1992	Panionios
1992–1993	Maribor
1993–1996	Pardubice
As coach:
1998–1999	Pardubice (assistant)
1999–2001	Helios Domžale (assistant)
2001–2002	Hopsi Polzela
2002–2003	ČEZ Nymburk (assistant)
2003–2004	Prostějov
2004–2007	Apollon Limassol
2008–2017	Kolín
2017–present	Olomoucko
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Yugoslavia EuroBasket 1981 Czechoslovakia Team European Championship for Juniors 1978 Italy Team

Playing career

A power forward, Benaček played 20 seasons in Yugoslavia, Greece, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic between 1975 and 1996. During his playing days, he played for Bosna, Panionios, Maribor, and Pardubice.[1] He retired as a player with Pardubice in 1996.

National team career

Benaček was a member of the Yugoslavia Juniors team that won the bronze medal at the 1978 European Championship for Juniors held in Italy. Over six tournament games, he averaged 14.9 points per game.[2]

Benaček was a member of the Yugoslavia national team, alongside Krešimir Ćosić, Dragan Kićanović, Dražen Dalipagić and Mirza Delibašić, that won the silver medal at the EuroBasket 1981 held in Czechoslovakia. Over six tournament games, he averaged four points per game.[3]

Coaching career

After retirement in 1996, Benaček joined the youth system of Pardubice. In 1998, he became an assistant coach of Pardubice. In 1999, he was named an assistant coach for Slovenian club Helios Domžale. In 2001, he was hired as the new head coach for Hopsi Polzela. In 2002, Benaček joined the ČEZ Nymburk staff as an assistant coach. In 2003, he became the head coach of Prostějov.

In 2004, he was named the head coach for Apollon Limassol of the Cyprus Division A.

In July 2008, Benaček came back to the Czech Republic, becoming the head coach for Kolín.[4] In June 2017, he left Kolín after nine seasons.[5]

In 2017, Benaček was hired as the new head coach for Olomoucko.[6][7]

National team coaching career

In 2005, Benaček was named the head coach for the Cyprus national team. He left the national team in 2007.

In 2007, Benaček became the head coach for the Czech Republic under-19 team.

Career achievements and awards

As player

• EuroLeague champion: 1 (with Bosna: 1978–79)
• Yugoslav League champion: 3 (with Bosna: 1977–78, 1979–80, 1982–83)
• Yugoslav Cup winner: 2 (with Bosna: 1977–78, 1983–84)
• Greek Cup winner: 1 (with Panionios: 1990–91)
• Czech Republic Cup winner: 1 (with JIP Pardubice: 1993–94)

References

1. "Souly: Čudni instinkt Predraga Benačeka". kosmagazin.com. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
2. "1978 Yugoslavia U18 Roster #11 - Predrag Benacek". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
3. "1981 Yugoslavia EuroBasket Roster #6 - Predrag Benacek". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
4. "Potvrzeno! Basketbalisty Kolína povede Predrag Benaček". kolinsky.denik.cz. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
5. "Benáček už není kolínským trenérem, končí po devíti sezonách". idnes.cz. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
6. "Prostějov basketbal zachrání. Orli padli, nahradí je BK Olomoucko". idnes.cz. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
7. "Benaček extended with Olomoucko". istbasketagency.com. Retrieved 22 January 2021.

External links

• Coach Profile at eurobasket.com