RIP Mike Wrublewski

Just weeks ago the Sydney basketball fraternity celebrated with this man. RIP Mr Wrublewski.

The former Sydney King's colourful owner Mike Wrublewski has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.

One of the true pioneers behind turning the NBL into a professional sport in this country, his ideas, personality and quotes will sorely missed.

Below is an article from the FoxSports website.

"Former Sydney Kings chairman Mike Wrublewski has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Wrublewski was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June and held a farewell dinner in Sydney earlier this month to raise funds for the Mike Wrublewski Foundation, which will be his legacy for young athletes needing financial help.

Basketball Australia CEO Larry Sengstock on Saturday paid tribute to Wrublewski, a pioneer of the NBL. "Basketball Australia (BA) and the entire basketball community are deeply saddened by the news of Mike Wrublewski's passing and our thoughts go out to his family," Sengstock said in a statement.

"Mike was a pioneer of the NBL who had a crazy vision of taking basketball from the tin sheds in which it was being played into major arenas.

"It is a true reflection of his energy, his passion and his brilliance that he was actually able to realise that dream.

"Mike almost single-handedly put basketball on the map in Sydney, and turned the Sydney Kings into an iconic Australian sporting team.

"The fact that he did so whilst working in Australia's toughest sports and entertainment market is all the more amazing.

"BA, the NBL, the WNBL and all of basketball owes him an incalculable debt and we will now look for some appropriate way in which we can honour his legacy."