Mieczysław Edwin Łopatka (born 10 October 1939) is a Polish former professional basketball player and coach. At a height of 1.96 m (6'5") tall, and a weight of 96 kg (212 lbs.), he played at the small forward position.
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Born | (1939-10-10) October 10, 1939 (age 82) Drachowo, Poland | |||||||||||||||||||
Nationality | Polish | |||||||||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | |||||||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 212 lb (96 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||
Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career | 1955–1976 | |||||||||||||||||||
Position | Small forward | |||||||||||||||||||
Coaching career | 1972–1994 | |||||||||||||||||||
Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||
As player: | ||||||||||||||||||||
1955–1958 | Kolejarz Gniezno | |||||||||||||||||||
1958–1961 | Lech Poznań | |||||||||||||||||||
1961–1972 | Śląsk Wrocław | |||||||||||||||||||
1972–1975 | Montbrison | |||||||||||||||||||
1975–1976 | Élan Chalon-sur-Saône | |||||||||||||||||||
As coach: | ||||||||||||||||||||
1972–1975 | Montbrison (player-coach) | |||||||||||||||||||
1975–1976 | Élan Chalon-sur-Saône (player-coach) | |||||||||||||||||||
1976–1982 | Śląsk Wrocław | |||||||||||||||||||
1985 | Standard Liège | |||||||||||||||||||
1990–1994 | Śląsk Wrocław | |||||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
As a player
As a head coach:
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FIBA Hall of Fame as player | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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Łopatka was a member of the FIBA European Selection, in 1969. He won 2 Polish League championships (1965, 1970), and the Polish Cup (1972). He led the Polish League in scoring 4 times (1961, 1963, 1966, 1967), and he was a two time Polish League Player of the Year (1965, 1969).
As a member of the senior Polish national basketball team, Łopatka competed at four Summer Olympic Games (1960, 1964, 1968, 1972). He won a silver medal at EuroBasket 1963, and bronze medals at EuroBasket 1965, and EuroBasket 1967. He was a member of the FIBA World Cup All-Tournament Team, at the 1967 FIBA World Championship, and he also led the tournament in scoring.
In his coaching career, Łopatka won 8 Polish League championships (1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994), and 3 Polish Cups (1977, 1980, 1992).
Poland squad – 1960 Summer Olympics | ||
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Poland squad – 1964 Summer Olympics | ||
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Poland squad – 1968 Summer Olympics | ||
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Poland squad – 1972 Summer Olympics | ||
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PLK Top Scorer | |
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Total Points Scored |
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Points Per Game |
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PLK Most Valuable Player Award | |
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Player of the Year |
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Most Valuable Player |
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FIBA World Cup top scorers | |
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