Vrbica Stefanov

Vrbica Stefanov

Vrbica Stefanov shooting a free throw, at the 2007 FIBA EuroBasket qualification.
Personal information
Born	(1973-12-19) December 19, 1973 (age 50) Kavadarci, SR Macedonia, SFR Yugoslavia
Nationality	Macedonian
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	165 lb (75 kg)
Career information
NBA draft	1995: undrafted
Playing career	1991–2009
Position	Point guard
Coaching career	2014–2016
Career history
As player:
1991–1992	Tikveš
1992–1998	MZT Skopje
1998–1999	Rabotnički Skopje
1999–2000	Pınar Karşıyaka
2000–2001	AEK Athens
2001–2005	Montepaschi Siena
2005–2006	Ülkerspor
2006	Crvena zvezda
2006–2007	Olympiacos
2007	Montepaschi Siena
2007–2008	Mersin BŞB
2008–2009	ViveMenorca
As coach:
2014	MZT Skopje
2016	Kožuv
2017	Yeşilgiresun Belediye (assistant)

Vrbica Stefanov (Macedonian: Врбица Стефанов, pronounced [ˈvrbit͡sa ˈstɛfanɔv]; born December 19, 1973) is a retired Macedonian professional basketball player and former head coach of the Macedonian clubs Kožuv and MZT Skopje.^[1] On 23 March 2009, Vrbica Stefanov was awarded the Medal for Service to the Country, by the then-President of the Republic of Macedonia, Branko Crvenkovski, in acknowledgement of his sport achievements, and his contribution to developing and popularizing sports in Macedonia, as well as promoting the country abroad.

After starting his club basketball career with Tikveš, Stefanov played six seasons with MZT Aerodrom (1992–1998),^[2] then moved on to Rabotnički (1998–1999), Karşıyaka (1999–2000, Turkey), AEK Athens (2000–2001, Greece). He then remained spent four years in Italy, playing with Montepaschi Siena (2001–2005),^[3] where he reached a EuroLeague Final Four.^[4]

He won the 1998–99 Macedonian National Championship with Rabotnički, the 2001 Greek National Cup with AEK Athens,^[5] the 2002 edition of the FIBA Saporta Cup with Montepaschi Siena, the 2003–04 Italian National Championship with Montepaschi Siena, and the 2005–06 Turkish National Championship with Ülkerspor.

After he signed with Red Star Belgrade, he played in only one game with the team, and in October 2006, he said that he would retire from playing pro club basketball.^{[citation needed]} However, in February 2007, he signed with the Spanish ACB League's ViveMenorca, for all of the remaining season and the following one.^[6]

Stefanov was also the team captain of the senior Macedonia national basketball team. He played at the 1999 FIBA EuroBasket and the EuroBasket 2009.

Stefanov was known for his quickness, passing ability, driving and three-point shooting. While he was mainly known for being a scorer, he was also the main play-maker of his teams.

• Macedonian League Champion: Rabotnički (1999)
• Greek Cup Winner: AEK Athens (2001)
• FIBA Saporta Cup Champion: Montepaschi Siena (2002)
• 2× Italian A League Champion: Montepaschi Siena (2004, 2007)
• Turkish Super League Champion: Ülkerspor (2006)

• 4× Macedonian Sports Personality of The Year: (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003)
• Greek League All-Star: (2001)
• Italian League All-Star: (2005)

• Vrbica Stefanov at euroleague.net