"All the awards and praises came in handy to finish my College career. Despite all professional offers I answered the same way – I said no. I was drafted for the NBA by the Los Angeles Lakers. I just couldn’t accept becoming a professional player in which case money would control my life and being. I didn’t want to subside just to basketball and only be a basketball player. I was aware that life had wider, deeper and higher dimensions than the game. I knew that true magic was in real, not bought, competition. So, at an early age, I decided that money, fame and vanity can’t mean anything. I will play, live and in that I will succeed."
KrešoThe Kresimir Cosic Association was working with the local government to renovate Kreso's first basketball hoop for his 25th death anniversary on May 25, 2020.
The coronavirus pandemic delayed the renovation but despite this setback, the basket and wall were successfully renovated and presented on September 4th, 2020. The basketball hoop represents more than a mere starting of a great career. It reminds us that despite all odds if we work hard and set our goals, we can become anything. Young generations are reminded that in the beginning, no one believed in Kreso, and despite this, he never lost faith and became the second foreigner to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Olympic medalist, FIBA Hall of Famer, FIBA Marrit Award recipient, All American and so much more. https://www.kresimircosic.com/en/kresimir-cosic/awards-and-acknowledgements/
Kresimir Cosic was the first player to play all 5 positions, a misunderstood center of the time, 20 years ahead of his time, a revolutionary, a medal-winning coach, and all of this because he didn't care when they said 'You'll never be good enough'.
The hoop is located in Zadar, by Kreso's childhood home, Frana Alfirevica street.