On 28 April 1993, during a crucial Greek Basketball League playoff match, Boban Janković, a talented Serbian forward playing for Panionios, became involved in one of the sport’s most tragic episodes. At just 29 years old, Janković was known for his skill and passion for the game. However, his promising career came to an abrupt and devastating end during this intense clash against Panathinaikos.
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During the game, Janković believed he had scored a basket, but the referee, Stelios Koukoulekidis, called him for an offensive foul. This was his fifth foul, leading to his ejection from the match. In frustration, Janković impulsively slammed his head against the padded structure of the basket, resulting in severe spinal cord damage. The injury left him paralysed from the neck down. His life was forever changed, as he would spend the rest of his days in a wheelchair.
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Despite the tragic turn in his life, Janković received considerable support from the Greek basketball community. In October 1993, he made an emotional return to a Panionios game, where he was met with a standing ovation. The club retired his number 8 jersey, ensuring his legacy endured. Unfortunately, complications from his paralysis took a toll on his health, and Boban Janković passed away on 28 June 2006, at the age of 42, due to heart failure.
