Serving as FIBA's secretary general emeritus since 2003, Stanković was previously the secretary general from 1976 to 2002 and was also a member of the International Olympic Committee.

He notably instigated the first cooperation between FIBA and IWBF in 1992.

His support for IWBF and wheelchair basketball was rewarded with the Gold Medal Triad in June 2002 - IWBF's highest honour.

IWBF President Ulf Mehrens sent his condolences to the friends and family of Stanković.

"I speak on behalf of IWBF and the whole wheelchair basketball community when I say that we are all deeply saddened by Mr Stanković's passing," Mehrens said.

Sir Philip Craven, the second President of the International Paralympic Committee and also an ex-IWBF President, met with Stanković after the Paralympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 and described him as "a true lover of sport, and of course basketball."

Craven said he remembers being uncertain if the meeting had gone well, but soon discovered it had.

"It must have been successful as over the coming years IWBF and FIBA developed a strong and trusted partnership, firstly through Borislav and his team, and then with the sadly departed and most dynamic, Patrick Baumann.

"Thank you, Borislav for recognising wheelchair basketball as a sport worthy of partnership with FIBA. 

"Rest in Peace."