Provo, UT (CSTV U-WIRE) --

BYU Communications

In a historic event on campus, BYU will retire the uniform of former Cougar, Kresimir Cosic on March 4 2006 during the final regular season home game against New Mexico. Cosi is the second BYU men's basketball player to have his jersey retired, joining Danny Ainge.

"Cosic was a great ambassador for both BYU and the game of basketball," said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe. "His accomplishments on and off the basketball court have impacted the lives of many worldwide. This honor is a well-deserved tribute to a great man."

Cosic's jersey, not his number, will be retired. Future players may still have the option to wear No. 11.

In order to retire a BYU jersey, the player must be a recipient of a major national award, have significant accomplishments after BYU graduation and be a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or active in another religion.

Few players in BYU history have been able to capture the hearts of Cougar fans like Kresimir Cosic did from 1970 to 1973. The 6-foot-11-inch center from Zadar, Yugoslavia entertained fans during his stellar career with his enthusiastic, guard-like play.

Whether it was leading the fast break, dribbling between his legs or shooting a sky-hook, Cosic's enthusiasm and on-the-court antics endeared him to almost everyone who saw him play.

During his career at BYU, Cosic used his inside-outside game to lead the Cougars to score, on average, 23.3 points per game and rebound

12.8 rebounds per game as a junior. As a senior he averaged 20.2 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game. His unselfish attitude also helped him to lead his team in assists.

He ranks second on BYU's all-time rebounding list with 919 total, an average of 11.6 per game. Cosic ranks fourth all-time with a 19.1 career scoring average while recording a BYU-record 47 double-doubles. Behind the play of Cosic, the Cougars won two WAC titles and reached the NCAA Regional Tournament in 1971 and 1972.

Cosic was a three-time first-team All-WAC selection and earned All-American accolades following his junior season. He likely would have been a four-year award winner but freshmen were not allowed to

play on varsity.

Upon graduation, Cosic became involved with basketball throughout Europe. He played on four Olympic teams with his native land of Yugoslavia, winning a gold medal in 1980 and two silver medals in 1968

and 1976. He ended his career as the all-time Croatian scoring leader and went on to coach the Yugoslavian National Team for many years.

His national and international accomplishments led to his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., on May 6, 1996.

He is the only BYU player, and the second Cougar overall to receive the prestigious honor. The other Cougar was former coach Stan Watts. He is also a

member of the Utah Basketball Hall of Fame, inducted in 2001.

In September of 1992, government officials appointed Cosic as the Croatian Deputy Ambassador to the United States. He and his family lived in Washington D.C where he performed his diplomatic duties in the same

manner in which he played basketball.

On May 25, 1995, Cosic lost his battle against the toughest opponent of his career - cancer. In the 46 years prior to his death, Cosic became one of the most influential and well known of all European basketball players. He left behind the legacy and credit of being the individual that first introduced the American game of basketball to Europe.

During the 2005 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, CBS Television analyst Billy Packer singled out Cosic during a discussion of the quality of international players now playing college basketball.

"Kresimir Cosic, who played at BYU, was really the first great

international player to play college basketball in the United States," Packer said.

Tickets to the BYU vs. New Mexico game honoring Cosic are available at the BYU Ticket Office or by calling 800-322-BYU1. The game on Saturday, March 4 2006, starts at 7 p.m.

BYU is celebrating its 104th year of basketball this season. The Cougars are ranked among the top 25 all-time NCAA programs in total victories with a combined 1481-960 (.607) record. The Cougars have recorded 82 winning seasons and advanced to a postseason tournament in

30 years, with 21 NCAA bids and nine NIT berths. BYU has won 26 conference titles.

(C) 2006 The Daily Universe via CSTV U-WIRE