PRAGUE (Czech Republic) - The Czech Basketball Federation have confirmed the death of one of its greatest ever basketball players as Jiri Zidek passed away at the age of 78 after a long illness.

Zidek was named as the Best Czech Player of the 20th Century and became the first Czech player to be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2019.

The center won two medals on the international stage with Czechoslovakia having made the EuroBasket All-Tournament Team in 1967 in helping his side finish as runners-up. Zidek then played a leading role two years later as they added a bronze medal to the collection.

Zidek proceeded to excel at major tournaments with an average of 18.6 points per game at Czechoslovakia's first-ever appearance at a World Cup before putting up 20.4 points per outing at EuroBasket in 1971.

The Prague native won a number of domestic titles with Slavia Prague and would later return to coach his beloved club in multiple spells. Zidek was also a FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup champion in 1969 having been the competition's leading scorer in the previous year.

His son Jiri Zidek Jr. - also known as George - also enjoyed a successful playing career after becoming the first Czech player to be drafted in the NBA, while his grandson Jan Zidek just completed a junior year at Pepperdine University in the United States.

FIBA