| IN MEMORIAM: ROB MEURS
The International Basketball World is deeply shocked and saddened by the death of Rob Meurs who had a fatal motor bike accident on Saturday in Germany close to Trier.
He was on his way from Mannheim, where he scouted the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, to Oostende (where he wanted to attend the Belgian league game Oostende-Liege).
Rob was born in Rotterdam (1955) and graduated from the College of The Hague in 1978 with a Major in physical education. He started his career with the Dutch Army as a physical trainer officer at the..
..military school for physical education.
In Basketball, Rob had a career as a player and as a coach. He coached both youth- and senior players at all levels, including the Dutch first division and several national teams from different countries. He also served the Dutch Basketball Federation as a coaches teacher, and as the Manager of the Dutch National Men's Team.
Rob Meurs was best known for his scouting. He was the first European scout to be hired by an NBA team (back in 1987). He would work for the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and the New Jersey Nets. Rob played an important part in the influx of foreign players into both the NBA and the NCAA since the early 90’s of the last century.
He was considered an expert on international basketball and was often interviewed by several media (including the Washington Post and ESPN).
Rob was later also hired by NIKE and Adidas and his company Court Vision acted as a consultant for a large number of teams (both professional and non-professional) and Basketball Federations all over the world.
Rob Meurs has also been instrumental in the success of Court Side with his passion for basketball, refreshing ideas, integrity and enthusiasm. In the early 90’s his expertise knowledge, advise, and consulting greatly helped shape the fundamentals of what Court Side is today. Rob was a close personal friend to many within Court Side. Some of us have known him for 25 years.
The passing away of Rob Meurs is a loss to the World of Basketball, and also a very personal loss for Court Side.
Rob leaves two children behind.
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