Kresimir Cosic
Center 11
Ht/Wt
6'
11"
|
210 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
Zadar, 
Croatia
Roster Years
1969-1973


Personal

  • Born 11/26/48 in Zagreb, Yugoslavia (now Croatia)
  • Son of Ante and Darinka Cosic
  • Started playing basketball at age 16
  • Attracted to BYU because they played an up tempo game

Career Highlights

  • Cosic was one of the more popular players in the history of Cougar athletics
  • Fans were drawn to him because of his enthusiasm
  • He was always one to wear his emotions on his sleeve and that is what endeared him to the Cougar faithful
  • Cosic was a three-time first-team All-WAC selection
  • Named All-American his junior season when he averaged 22.3 points and 12.8 rebounds per game
  • Led his team to two WAC titles and two NCAA appearances
  • His 1,512 career points are 11th all-time at BYU
  • Career average if 19.1 ppg fourth all-time
  • Second all-time in rebounds with 919

After BYU

  • Played in two more Olympics after leaving BYU, 1976 and 1980, winning the silver in 76 and the gold in 80
  • Ended career as all-time Croatian scoring leader
  • Coached the Yugoslavian national team 
  • Appointed as deputy ambassador for Croatia to the United States in September 1992

Post BYU Honors and Societies

  • Inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame in 1983
  • Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., on May 6, 1996 
  • Inducted into Utah Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001

Stats

Year    G    FG    FG%    FTM   FT%   R-AVE      P-AVE
Frosh   12   83    .52    43    .70   151-12.6   209-17.4
70-71   26   153   .48    101   .74   341-13.1   407-15.0
71-72   26   207   .50    167   .81   332-12.8   581-22.3
72-73   26   206   .48    113   .81   246-9.5    525-20.2
Totals  78   566   .487   381   .787  919-11.8   1513-19.4
1983 BYU Hall of Fame

1983 BYU Hall of Fame

Few players in BYU history have been able to capture the hearts of Cougar fans like Kresimir Cosic. The 6-11 center from Zadar, Yugoslavia, entertained fans by his guard-like play and many mourned his departure following the 1973 season.

Whether it was leading a fast-break, dribbling between his legs, or shooting a turn-around layup, Kresimir played with enthusiasm. His on-the-court antics and genuine love for the game endeared the Cougar big man to just about everyone. Not only was his enthusiasm infectious, but it was also successful.

During his career at BYU, Kresimir was named all-conference three-consecutive years in 1971, 1972, and 1973. It was only the fourth time that a WAC player had accomplished such a feat. He was named to five All-American teams and was also picked to the All-District teams in 1972 and 1973. He set BYU career records in points (1,512), field goals made (566), free throws made (381) and rebounds (919). He put six WAC records in the books and also set several BYU single game and single season records.

Kresimir made his national team debut for Yugoslavia, at the age of 17. He won a silver medal at the 1967 FIBA World Championship and at the 1968 Summer Olympics, he won another silver medal.

In total, Kresimir played in four Summer Olympic Games: 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980 in Moscow, when he led his team to the gold medal. He previously had led Yugoslavia to a pair of FIBA World Cup gold medals, at the 1970 FIBA World Championship, and at the 1978 FIBA World Championship.

Following his playing days, Kresimir turned to coaching and he led the Yugoslav national team to a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, and to bronze medals at the 1986 FIBA World Championship and the 1987 EuroBasket.

 

In 1996, Kresimir became only the second international player ever elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2006, he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2007, he was also an inaugural member of the FIBA Hall of Fame. The Croatian Basketball Cup, and KK Zadar's home arena, are named after him. On March 4, 2006, Kresimir became just the second men's basketball player to have his jersey retired by BYU.

Kresimir was a notable church leader and missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as the deputy ambassador of Croatia to the U.S., in Washington, D.C.

Freshman Year 1969-1970

  • Averaged 17.4 points and 12.6 rebounds in 12 freshman games
  • Played on Silver medal winning Yugoslavian team in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City
Sophmore Year 1970-1971

  • As a sophomore, he started slow but came on strong by the start of WAC play
  • He averaged 24 ppg in a crucial stretch drive and playoff series
  • He also controlled the boards, averaging 15 rpg over a 12-game stretch pulling down 23 rebounds in a playoff game with UCLA
  • Averaged 15 ppg and 8.8 rpg for the season
  • Led BYU to WAC championship
Junior Year 1971-1972

  • As a junior he led the team in scoring (22.3) and rebounding (12.8)
  • He had four games in which he controlled 19 or more rebounds
  • The Cougars were undefeated in 12 games played in the Marriott Center, won the WAC title with the best ever record for a conference team, won 9 out of 14 on the road, and advanced into the first round of the NCAA regional playoffs
  • Cosic was named to several All-America selections (Converse and Helms included)
  • Led team in scoring 15 of 26 games and in rebounding 19 games
  • Played for the Yugoslavian national team at the Olympics in Munich following the season
  • Led BYU to WAC championship
Senior Year 1972-1973

  • Averaged 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds
  • Named All-WAC first team for third consecutive year
  • WAC player of the year
  • Only fourth time in history of the conference that a player made a first team as a sophomore, junior and senior
  • Scored high of 36 in victory over Arizona
  • Led BYU in scoring 13 of 26 games and in rebounding 10 times
  • Grabbed season high 19 boards against Niagra
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year

Medical Redshirt Year