Ćosić's basketball career began in his native Croatia with the team Zadar, where he played from 1964 to 1969. His talent was evident early on, and he quickly became known for his versatility on the court, able to play multiple positions due to his height of 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm) and his skill set.
In 1969, Ćosić moved to the United States to play college basketball at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. He was one of the first European players to make an impact in American college basketball. During his time at BYU, from 1969 to 1973, Ćosić earned numerous accolades, including being named a first-team All-American twice. He left a lasting legacy at BYU, finishing his college career as the school's all-time rebounding leader and second in points scored.
After his successful college career, Ćosić was drafted by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers in 1973 but chose to return to Europe instead of pursuing an NBA career. He played professionally in Italy for Bologna and later for Virtus Bologna, contributing to their success in the Italian League and European competitions.
Internationally, Ćosić had a storied career with the Yugoslavian national team. He played in four Olympic Games (1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980), winning one gold (1980), one silver (1968), and two bronze medals (1972, 1976). Additionally, he was a world champion twice (1970, 1978) and a European champion three times (1973, 1975, 1977). His international career is highlighted by numerous medals and individual awards, making him one of the most decorated players in the history of international basketball.
After retiring as a player, Ćosić turned to coaching. He served as the head coach of the Croatian national team, leading them to a silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, which was Croatia's first appearance as an independent nation following the breakup of Yugoslavia.
Krešimir Ćosić's contributions to basketball extended beyond the court. He was known for his efforts to promote the sport internationally and for fostering better relations between the United States and Yugoslavia through basketball. His diplomatic work and international influence were recognized when he was posthumously enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1996.
Ćosić passed away on May 25, 1995, after a battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. His legacy lives on, not only in the numerous awards and honors he received but also in the Krešimir Ćosić Hall in Zadar, named in his honor, and the Krešimir Ćosić Award, given to the best Croatian basketball player of the year.
In summary, Krešimir Ćosić's basketball career was marked by his success at the collegiate level in the United States, his achievements in European professional basketball, his extraordinary international play with the Yugoslavian national team
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