Gomelsky, Alexsandr

Known as the "Father of Soviet Men's Basketball" and the "Silver Fox," Gomelsky is enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Regarded as one of the most shrewd basketball minds in both domestic and international circles, he began coaching at the age of 17, and coached more than 2,600 games over the next three decades. Gomelsky led the Soviet National Team to European, World, and Olympic prowess. A world-renowned clinician, Gomelsky conducted basketball clinics throughout the world, including in Israel.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Jan. 18, 1928

Career Highlights:
One of the greatest coaches in the history of modern basketball, Gomelsky compiled a record of 490-177, a .735 winning percentage in 29 years of coaching. After playing and coaching in Leningrad and Riga, Gomelsky took over the Central Army Sports Club (ZSKA) in 1966 and led them to 10 USSR championships. He also led the Soviet National Team to 7 European Championships (1959, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1979, and 1981), 2 World Championships (1967 and 1982), and an Olympic Gold Medal in 1988, ending 21 straight U.S. Olympic wins (and causing the formation of the "Dream Team"). Gomelsky also led the Soviet team to 2 second-place finishes and 2 third-place finishes in the World Championships, Olympic bronze medals in 1968, 1980, and 1984, and a silver medal in 1964. Gomelsky is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Origin:
Leningrad, Russia

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