Franjo Arapović (born 2 June 1965) is a Croatian former professional basketball player who played as a center. A 7 ft 0.5 in (2.15 m) tall,[1] he won the silver medal with the Croatia national team at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Four years earlier he was a member of the Yugoslavia national team, that won the silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Franjo Arapović | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Member of Parliament | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 22 December 2003 – 11 January 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parliamentary group | Croatian Democratic Union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Constituency | I electoral district | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | (1965-06-02) 2 June 1965 (age 57) Slipčići, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nationality | Croatian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 2.15 m (7 ft 1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spouse(s) | Nataly-Suzan Plazibat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Children |
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Basketball career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NBA draft | 1987 / Round: 7 / Pick: 159th overall | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Center | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1983–1993 | Cibona | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1993–1994 | Croatia Osiguranje | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1994–1995 | Zrinjevac | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1995–1996 | Trapani | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1996–1998 | Žalgiris | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1998–1999 | Antalya BB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1999–2000 | Olimpija Osijek | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2000 | Hapoel Jerusalem | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2000–2001 | Krka | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2001–2002 | Triglav Osiguranje | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Stats ![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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Arapović was born in Mostar, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia. In his professional career, he played for KK Lokomotiva Mostar, after which he moved to Croatian clubs Cibona, Croatia Osiguranje Split and Zrinjevac. He then moved to Pallacanestro Trapani in Italy, BC Žalgiris in Lithuania, Krka Telekom in Slovenia, Fenerbahçe S.K. in Turkey, Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem in Israel, again Žalgiris, and again Zrinjevac, Croatia Osiguranje Split and Cibona.[2]
One of Arapović's most well-known moments was during the first half of the gold medal game between Croatia and the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics, when Arapović caught a pass from Toni Kukoč while driving toward the basket and made a running two-handed slam dunk to give Croatia a 25–23 lead over the Dream Team. David Robinson was whistled for a foul on the play, and Arapović demonstratively hung on the rim for several moments before giving the cheering crowd several fist-pumps.[3]
Member of Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Arapović was their MP in the Croatian Parliament from December 2003 until January 2008. His son Marko is also a professional basketball player.
Yugoslavia squad – 1986 FIBA World Championship – Bronze medal | ||
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Yugoslavia men's basketball squad – 1988 Summer Olympics – Silver medal | ||
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Croatia men's basketball squad – 1992 Summer Olympics – Silver medal | ||
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Croatia squad – EuroBasket 1993 – Bronze medal | ||
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Cibona 1984–85 Euroleague champions | |
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Cibona 1985–86 Euroleague champions | |
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Cibona 1986–87 FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup champions | |
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Žalgiris 1997–98 FIBA EuroCup champions | |
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