Posted on Sat, Jun. 21, 2008
Nemanja Petrovic, 34, a 6-foot-10 center for the St. Joseph's basketball team that reached the Sweet 16 in the 1997 NCAA tournament, died earlier this week in his native Serbia.
Mr. Petrovic, who was hospitalized more than a week ago, died from a viral infection that affected his lungs and heart, according to a statement released yesterday by the university.
"Nemanja was a young man who fully seized the opportunity provided at St. Joseph's," St. Joe's coach Phil Martelli said. "An outstanding student, a great teammate, and a proud graduate, he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go to his immediate and extended family both in Yugoslavia and America."
A native of Belgrade, Mr. Petrovic came to the United States and completed his scholastic career at North Penn High School. As a senior for a St. Joe's team that finished 12th in the Associated Press poll, he started 31 games and averaged 6.9 points and 5.2 rebounds.
Affectionately known as "Petro" by his teammates, Mr. Petrovic was known for his dry sense of humor. He was the team's academic star.
In his junior and senior years, Mr. Petrovic was named to the Atlantic Ten Conference's all-academic team. As a senior, he was named to the GTE/CoSIDA academic all-district team and was the recipient of the Harry Merrill Sportsmanship Award from the Big Five. He graduated with a degree in finance.
Details of funeral arrangements were not yet available.
- Ray Parrillo
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