7’2” Giant from Drnis was mentored by legendary Kresimir Cosic in the early days of his long and distinguished international career.
Cosic, Yugoslav NT head coach at the time helped develop his overall skills and introduced his tremendous shot blocking ability to the world in 1986 World Championship in Spain.
If Vrankovic have had furtherly developed some of his offensive skills, especially his jump shot, some argue if he would have become one of the most dominant big man ever to play the game of basketball.
During 1990-ties he played alongside basketball greats like Larry Bird in Boston, Dominique Wilkins in Bologna and Kevin Garnet in Minnesota.
His presence in the paint was defensive key for each and every team he played for including 1996 European Champs, Panathinaikos Athens.
