Andrew Vlahov

NBL Player Infobox
name = Andrew Vlahov


nickname = Hoff
position = Forward
height = 200cm
weight = 108kg
nationality = Australia
birth_date = birth date and age|df=yes|1969|4|1
birth_place = Perth, Western Australia
first_nbl_game = 1991
last_nbl_game = 2002
games_played = 347 [http://www.nblstats.com/players.php?playerid=11195 NBL Stats]
junior_association =
college = Stanford University
previous_clubs = Perth Wildcats 1991-2002
championships = 1991, 1995, 2000
career_highlights = 1991 NBL Rookie of the Year
1995 Grand Final MVP
1992, 1995 NBL's First Team
1998 NBL's 20th Anniversary Team

Boomers Olympic Squad Member (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000)

Andrew Mitchell Vlahov (born 1 April 1969 in Perth, Australia) is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball League of Australia from 1991 through till the 2001/2002 season. Currently Vlahov is a part owner of the Perth Wildcats and is on the NBL's Board of Directors. [http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=nbl_directory NBL Directory]

Playing career

Andrew Vlahov attended Kent street Senior High School in Western Australia and Stanford University in the U.S. before being signed by the Perth Wildcats where he played his entire NBL career. A stellar first season with the Wildcats saw Vlahov awarded with the NBL's Rookie of the Year award. Vlahov replaced Mike Ellis as the captain of the club in 1993 after only two seasons in the NBL and remained so until his retirement.

Vlahov is a four-time Olympian playing with the Boomers at the 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. [http://www.basketball.net.au/FS_extra.asp?id=665&OrgID=1 Boomers Olympic History]

Post-playing career

While still on the playing roster with the Wildcats, Vlahov teamed up with ex-NBA player and fellow Western Australian Luc Longley to purchase the Wildcats franchise from owner Kerry Stokes. [Sgroi, D. (Producer). (2004). Perth Wildcats: Behind the Ball. [Motion Picture] . (Available from the Promote Media Group, Morley Commercial Centre, Cnr Boag Road & Russell Street, Morley, Western Australia)] Once Longley pulled out of the venture Vlahov was the majority shareholder of the club (with Mack Hall holding a small minority of shares) until the completion of the 2005/2006 season when West Australian Jack Bendat took over the club. Vlahov has since become the Managing Director of the franchise. [http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=3090 "New chairman for Wildcats"]

In his time as owner of the Wildcats, Vlahov was instrumental in the NBL's push into the Asian market including match telecasts to Asian countries and the now annual "Singapore Spectacular" (a regular season match where the Wildcats play host to another NBL team in Singapore). [http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=2593 "NBL's Asian success"]

Trivia

*As captain of the Perth Wildcats his alternate nickname was 'the Skipper'.
*His #21 jersey is one of six jerseys that have been retired by the Wildcats and is displayed at Challenge Stadium during Wildcats home games.

References