Tbilisi, Georgia: The Georgian basketball community is mourning the loss of one of its most prominent figures, Ramaz Gogoberishvili, who died on Tuesday at the age of 51.
Ramaz Gogoberishvili was a former national team player and coach with a distinguished career in Georgia and abroad. He played in his homeland for Tbilisi Dinamo, Rustavi Azot, and Technical University team Stu-Geosel. He also had stints in Greece with Paok and Ment and in Portugal with Aveiro.
He was a three-time Georgian champion, two-time Cup and two-time Super Bowl winner, and three-time winner of the Dudu Dadiani and Korkia-Sakandelidze Memorial. He represented Georgia in 17 international matches, scoring 151 points.
He was included in Greece’s “Park” and “Ment” during his basketball career. He also played for the Portuguese top-league club Aveiro. His death at 51 is a particular loss for Georgian basketball.
After retiring as a player, he coached Rustavi for several years, helping them win the Georgian Cup in 2010. The Georgian Ministry of Culture and Sports issued a statement expressing its grief over Gogoberishvili’s death and sending condolences to his family, friends and relatives.
“Ramaz Gogoberishvili was one of the leaders of the Georgian national team in the 90s and a respected coach in the Georgian basketball scene. His death is a special loss for Georgian basketball. We extend our deepest sympathy to his loved ones and the entire basketball family,” the statement read.
Gogoberishvili’s former teammates, opponents and fans also paid tribute to him on social media, remembering his achievements and personality.
“Rest in peace, Ramaz. You were a great player, a great coach and a great person. You will always be in our hearts,” wrote Zaza Pachulia, the most famous Georgian basketball player, on his Instagram account.
The Georgian Ministry of Culture and Sports expresses its sorrow over the death of Ramaz Gogoberishvili and sends condolences to his family, friends and relatives.
