Basketball Australia is saddened to learn of the passing of Kenneth Cole, Australian Basketball Hall of Famer and Boomer #14.
Ken had a decorated career as an athlete and a coach, playing in his early years in Woolloomooloo, New South Wales to competing for the Australian Boomers at major tournaments in the foundation years between 1960 - 1970.
The 204cm forward featured at the Tokyo 1964 Olympics and 1970 FIBA World Championships in Yugoslavia.
An outpouring of condolences, grief and fond memories have been shared over the last 48 hours.
Boti Nagy, SA Basketball Hall of Famer and brother of Huba (1970 World Champs team-mate of Ken), provided some insights on the fallen legend via his insider blog.
“For decades Ken battled two severe life-compromising conditions, the medication to ease one level of his suffering exacerbating the other condition, and vice versa,” said Nagy.
“It made his daily life increasingly moribund although you wouldn't have known it for speaking with him,”
“After a lengthy update of how he was confusing and defying modern medicine, the rest of any conversation was upbeat and about basketball, his passion for the sporting obsession which changed his life never abating.”
Cole made notable contributions as a player to the domestic National Basketball League in Victoria for Melbourne, St Kilda before diving into coaching.
Cole’s coaching career soared to incredible highs in 1986, when he led an Adelaide 36ers unit tagged ‘The Invincibles’ to a title.
He was recognised as NBL Coach of the Year that year, leading the 36ers to a 24 - 2 record and a national championship.
“His general upbeat nature was what set him apart in his ability to motivate athletes like few others in Australian sport,” recalled Nagy.
“He was one of our all-time greats as a player, an Olympian and a FIBA World Cup Boomer.”
Our thoughts are with Ken’s family and the many communities that are feeling the loss of his passing.
Once a Boomer, always a Boomer.
Vale Old King Cole.
Boomer #14
