Mieczysław Edwin Łopatka (born 10 October 1939) is a Polish former professional basketball player and coach. At a height of 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) tall, and a weight of 96 kg (212 lb), he played at the small forward position.
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | October 10, 1939 Drachowo, Poland | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Polish | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 212 lb (96 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 1955–1976 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Small forward | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 1972–1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||
| As player: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1955–1958 | Kolejarz Gniezno | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1958–1961 | Lech Poznań | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1961–1972 | Śląsk Wrocław | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1972–1975 | Montbrison | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1975–1976 | Élan Chalon-sur-Saône | ||||||||||||||||||||
| As coach: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1972–1975 | Montbrison (player-coach) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1975–1976 | Élan Chalon-sur-Saône (player-coach) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1976–1982 | Śląsk Wrocław | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1985 | Standard Liège | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1994 | Śląsk Wrocław | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||
As a player
As a head coach:
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| FIBA Hall of Fame | |||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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Club career
editŁopatka was a member of the FIBA European Selection, in 1969. He won 2 Polish League championships (1965, 1970), and the Polish Cup (1972). He led the Polish League in scoring 4 times (1961, 1963, 1966, 1967), and he was a two time Polish League Player of the Year (1965, 1969).
National team career
editAs a member of the senior Polish national basketball team, Łopatka competed at four Summer Olympic Games (1960, 1964, 1968, 1972). He won a silver medal at EuroBasket 1963, and bronze medals at EuroBasket 1965, and EuroBasket 1967. He was a member of the FIBA World Cup All-Tournament Team, at the 1967 FIBA World Championship, and he also led the tournament in scoring.
Coaching career
editIn his coaching career, Łopatka won 8 Polish League championships (1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994), and 3 Polish Cups (1977, 1980, 1992).
