Angolan star Jean-Jacques Conceicao - an African hero and FIBA legend

MIES (Switzerland) - Jean-Jacques Conceicao did not only enjoy superstar status in Angola but the long-time national team leader was also an African hero as well as a FIBA icon. Conceicao left his mark at the club level in two countries while helping Angola become the absolute giant of African basketball.

It all started for Conceicao on April 3, 1964 when he was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo capital of Kinshasa. He would land in Angola and was a leading figure in Primeiro de Agosto Luanda dominating the domestic league, winning five Angolan league titles (1983, 1985–1988) and four Angolan cups (1985–1988). In 1988, Conceicao moved to Portugal and began a love story with Benfica Lisbon, guiding the club to seven Portuguese league titles and five cup trophies during an eight-year stint with the club.

Conceicao left Portugal in 1996 for France to play for Limoges CSP for three seasons followed by one campaign with Unicaja Malaga in Spain. He returned to Portugal in 2000 and was a major part in Portugal Telecom Lisbon winning three league titles and two cups in three seasons.

While becoming a real winner in Portugal, Conceicao helped his native Angola grow to a superpower in Africa at the national team level. He captured gold at the FIBA AfroBasket seven times - 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2003 - to go along with two continental silvers - 1983 and 1985 - and one bronze - 1997.

Conceicao also measured himself against the best in the world, competing at the 1986, 1990 and 1994 FIBA Basketball World Cup as well as the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. And all that came after he helped Angola win the FIBA U18 African Championship in 1982 and competed at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 1983.

In 2011, Conceicao was named Africa's Most Valuable Player as part of the 50th anniversary of FIBA Africa's foundation. And in 2013, he was honored for his legacy with a spot in the FIBA Hall of Fame. Conceicao's legacy on the court also lives on through his son Jacques Conceicao, who has played for the Angolan national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

But Jean-Jacques Conceicao will forever live on in history in Angola, Africa and FIBA circles.

FIBA