Jef Eygel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Eygel with Racing Mechelen in 1969 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 March 1933 |
| Died | 3 April 2005 (aged 72) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0.25 in (1.84 m) |
| Listed weight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Career information | |
| Playing career | 1950–1970 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Career history | |
| 1950–1968 | Antwerpse |
| 1969–1970 | Racing Mechelen |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Jozef "Jef" Fidelo Eygel (5 March 1933 in Antwerp – 3 April 2005) was a Belgian professional basketball player. At a height of 1.84 m (6'0 1⁄4") tall, he played at the point guard position. He is regarded as one of Belgium's greatest basketball players.[1]
In 1950, Eygel began his professional career with his hometown team Antwerpse. The Belgian guard spent almost two decades with this team and helped Antwerpse to win 7 Belgian League titles. The final season of his career, the 37-year-old Eygel spent with another Belgian team, Racing Mechelen.
In 1958/59 season, Eygel made his EuroLeague debut. In total, he played 8 seasons in the EuroLeague, averaging 14.4 points per game and twice finishing the season in the Top 10 in scoring.[2] He finished his European journey with 517 points in 36 games.[2]
Eygel was a member of the FIBA European Selection, in 1964. He was a four-time Belgian Player of the Year (1959, 1961, 1963, 1964).
National team career
Eygel was a member of the senior Belgian national basketball team since 1951, when he made his debut as a 18-year-old in the Eurobasket. In total, Eygel played in 5 Eurobasket editions (1951, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1967), scoring 270 points in 40 games.[2]
He competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics. He played in all three of Belgium's games during the Olympic tournament, averaging 5.7 points per game.[3] In total, Eygel played a record of 133 times for the national team between 1951 and 1970.[4]
