Ayo Victor
Berlin: Seven iconic players and a distinguished coach were officially inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, in a ceremony celebrating their lasting contributions to global basketball.
The Enshrinement Ceremony took place at Kraftwerk Berlin, held alongside the draw for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, underscoring the sport’s global reach and legacy.
This year’s inductees included Sue Bird, Céline Dumerc, Clarisse Machanguana, Dirk Nowitzki, Ludwik Miętta‑Mikołajewicz, Ismenia Pauchard, Hidayet Türkoğlu, and Wang Zhizhi.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sue Bird highlighted the unique global significance of the honour, noting that it transcends individual teams, leagues, or cities, and instead celebrates the game on an international scale.
Dirk Nowitzki reflected on the transformative power of sport, emphasizing how basketball shaped his character and broadened his perspective on life and the world.
Andreas Zagklis, Secretary General of FIBA, underlined Berlin’s strong connection to basketball, noting the city’s role as a focal point for the sport, particularly with the upcoming Women’s World Cup later this year.
He concluded by reaffirming the mission of the Hall of Fame, which now includes 208 members from 46 nations, recognising individuals who have embodied the core values of basketball—respect, fairness, leadership, and excellence—while leaving a lasting global impact on the game.
To learn more about each inductee, click on the links below:
- Sue BIRD (USA)
- Céline DUMERC (FRA)
- Clarisse MACHANGUANA (MOZ)
- Ludwik MIĘTTA-MIKOŁAJEWICZ (POL)
- Dirk NOWITZKI (GER)
- Ismenia PAUCHARD (CHI)
- Hidayet TÜRKOĞLU (TUR)
- Wang ZHIZHI (CHN)
