MIES (Switzerland) - The international basketball family has been paying respect to Vadim Kapranov after the former player and coach passed away. 

Born in 1940, he competed at the 1968 Olympics for the Soviet Union, helping his nation to land a bronze medal. This came alongside success at club level. He stepped out with Dynamo Moscow, Burevestnik Moscow and CSKA Moscow - winning the European Champions Cup with the latter in 1969 and 1971. He was also crowned domestic champion no fewer than seven times.

Kapranov then enjoyed a stellar coaching career,  most notably taking the Unified Team to Olympic gold in 1992 and Russia to an Olympic bronze in 1994. Wedged in between was a FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup title with the Soviet Union in 1983.

He was also at the helm of the Soviet Union for the Women's EuroBasket in 1985 triumph and followed it up with a second continental title when he delivered a first win for Russia in 2003. 

The playcaller was revered by fans of Bourges Basket after he landed the EuroLeague Women title in 1998, also taking the club to a Ronchetti Cup victory and an impressive five French Championships. Kapranov also won the Ronchetti Cup with CSKA, plus a large number of domestic silverware. 

FIBA