Marko Marinović (Serbian Cyrillic: Марко Мариновић; born 6 January 1983) is a Serbian professional basketball coach and former player. Standing at 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in), he primarily played as a point guard. He is currently the head coach for Borac Čačak of the ABA League and the Basketball League of Serbia (KLS).
Early Life and Career
Marinović was born in Čačak, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia. He began his professional career with his hometown club, Borac Čačak, making his senior debut in 1999.
Playing Career
Marinović played for numerous European clubs throughout his extensive career, known for his leadership and scoring ability as a point guard.
- Borac Čačak (1999–2004): Began his career with Borac, establishing himself as a key player.
- Hemofarm (2004–2005): Moved to Hemofarm Vršac, where he gained further experience in top-tier competition.
- FMP Železnik (2005–2006): Played for FMP, participating in the Adriatic League and EuroCup.
- Joventut Badalona (2006–2007): Had a notable stint in Spain with DKV Joventut, winning the FIBA EuroCup in 2006.
- Girona (2007–2008): Continued in the Spanish ACB League with Akasvayu Girona.
- Crvena zvezda (2008–2009): Returned to Serbia to play for Crvena zvezda.
- Radnički Kragujevac (2009–2010, 2011–2013): Had two successful periods with Radnički Kragujevac, becoming a fan favorite.
- Other European Clubs: Throughout his career, Marinović also played for clubs such as Budućnost Podgorica (Montenegro), Enisey Krasnoyarsk (Russia), Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia), Igokea (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Perm (Russia), and S.Oliver Baskets (Germany).
- Return to Borac Čačak (2014–2019): Marinović returned to his hometown club Borac Čačak in 2014, where he played until his retirement in 2019, leading the team as a captain and veteran leader.
National Team Career
Marinović represented the Serbian national basketball team (formerly Serbia and Montenegro) at various levels. He was part of the senior national team that competed in international tournaments.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Marinović transitioned directly into coaching, taking over his former club.
- Borac Čačak (2019–present): Immediately after ending his playing career, Marinović was appointed head coach of Borac Čačak in June 2019. In his first season, he led the team to promotion to the ABA League, marking a significant achievement for the club. He has since maintained Borac's status in the regional top-tier competition.
- Serbian National U18 Team: Marinović has also gained experience coaching at the national youth level, working with the Serbian U18 national team.
Achievements and Awards
As Player:
- FIBA EuroCup Champion: 2006 (with DKV Joventut)
- Montenegrin League Champion: 2011 (with Budućnost Podgorica)
As Coach:
- Basketball League of Serbia (KLS) Champion: 2020 (with Borac Čačak - season interrupted, but awarded promotion)
References
- Eurobasket.com profile
- ABA League profile
- FIBA.com archives