Paul Van Roy
Paul Van Roy (1931/1932 – 22 July 2020) was a Belgian basketball player and journalist.[1]
Paul Van Roy | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 22 July 2020 (aged 88) |
Nationality | Belgian |
Occupation | Basketball player and journalist |
Biography
Van Roy was born in Niel, Belgium, where he would live his entire life. He started playing football but after one or two years he switched to basketball when he was 15 years old. As a basketball player he was one of the main players of basketball team RUBO in the early 1950s. Within 6 years the team was promoted 5 times, ending up playing in the highest division in 1957. Van Roy also played for the Belgium men's national basketball team. Van Roy is being known for scoring 75 points in 1 match.[1][2][3] During his basketball careeer he played matches in the Netherlands, Spain, France, Luxembourg and Germany. He continued playing basketball until he was 60 years old playing with Rubo-Niel.[3]
Van Roy was for over 50 years a local news and sport journalist and correspondent for Gazet van Antwerpen. He wrote articles for the news agency until his death. He was nicknamed ‘De grote vriendelijke reus’ (translated: The Big Friendly Giant).[1][4]
Van Roy died in July 2020, aged 88, due to pancreatic cancer.[1]
References
- Regiojournalist en basketbalicoon Paul Van Roy is overleden. Hij werd 88 en stierf aan de gevolgen van pancreaskanker., Het laatste Nieuws
- "Willy Steveniers (80) en Paul Van Roy (87): legendes van het pleintjesbasketbal keren terug naar glorietijd". www.gva.be.
- "Interview van Paul VAN ROY". www.fotoniel.be.
- "GVA-correspondent Paul Van Roy overleden : "Een grote vriendelijke reus"". www.gva.be.