BANJA LUKA HOSTS 22ND “RADIVOJ KORAĆ” MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

The basketball weekend in Banja Luka is dedicated to one of the sport’s greatest legends – Radivoj Korać. The traditional “Radivoj Korać” Memorial Tournament once again brings together young talented teams, filling the stands with fans and honoring the memory of the legendary “Žućko.”

PHOTO: SeeSrpska

Six teams from the region are competing in Banja Luka, showcasing their skills and passion for the game. The draw has placed Igokea, Borac and Maks in Group A, while Sloboda Užice, Basket 2000 and Ruki are battling in Group B. The matches have already delivered excitement, fast play, and plenty of energy that has thrilled the audience.

Group winners will advance to Sunday’s grand final, while second-placed teams will fight for third place, and the remaining sides will meet in the game for fifth position. The opening ceremony was held on Friday, August 22, followed by the first matchups, and the atmosphere in the sports hall has been electric throughout the weekend. The tournament will conclude on Sunday at 2 p.m. with the final game.

Radivoj Korać, known as “Žućko,” was one of the greatest basketball players from the former Yugoslavia. He left an unforgettable mark on European and world basketball, most famously scoring 99 points in a single game for OKK Beograd against Swedish side Alvik. In 2023, he was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, the highest individual honor in world basketball.

To honor his legacy, FIBA introduced the Radivoj Korać Cup in 1972, one of its three European club competitions. Later, in 2003, Serbia’s national cup was renamed in his memory, with the trophy symbolically cast from the imprint of Korać’s shooting hand.

The Banja Luka tournament continues that tradition, ensuring that new generations of players grow up inspired by Žućko’s greatness, while fans celebrate the spirit of basketball and keep alive the memory of a man who became a true legend of the sport.