MIES (Switzerland) – At the FIBA Women in Basketball Forum in Berlin, the FIBA Foundation was proud to announce the publication of "Through Their Eyes: Stories of Women Who Shaped Basketball", an oral history project chronicling the evolution of women’s basketball across more than 70 years.
The oral history report is built around in‑depth interviews conducted with 12 basketball pioneers, including 9 FIBA Hall of Famers, whose careers span from the first FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 1953 to the present day:
Carol Callan (USA)
Jacky Chazalon (France)
Claudine Clot-Ducommun (Switzerland)
Teresa Edwards (USA)
Natália Hejková (Czechoslovakia/Slovakia)
Tom Maher (Australia)
Mame Maty Mbengue (Senegal)
Shin-Ja Park (Korea)
Laura Pina (Chile)
Maria Planas (Spain)
Uljana Semjonova (Latvia/USSR)
Maria “Magic Paula” Silva (Brazil)
"Through Their Eyes: Stories of Women Who Shaped Basketball" shares the lived experiences of those basketball legends who helped build the game across generations and continents. Through their stories, the report explores how basketball has shaped identities, inspired future leaders, fostered lifelong friendships and rivalries, and evolved alongside the societies and cultures in which it is played. The report also preserves one of the final recorded testimonies of Uljana Semjonova, whose recent passing highlights the value of capturing these stories for future generations.
This document is part of a wider FIBA Foundation initiative dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and promoting the legacy of women’s basketball. Alongside the report, the initiative includes the graphic novel "La Valise d'Éliane", "The World on Our Shoulders" documentary, and a "Women in Basketball" exhibition.
Together, these projects bring the history of the women’s game to life through multiple storytelling formats, highlighting the lasting impact of women in basketball and the societies in which the sport has evolved.
Through this landmark publication, the FIBA Foundation reinforces its commitment to preserving basketball’s cultural heritage and ensuring that the stories of those who paved the way are not forgotten. More than a historical record, the report serves as a source of inspiration for educators, researchers, players, and future generations, highlighting the enduring power of basketball to drive social change and connect communities across borders.
“Through Their Eyes: Stories of Women Who Shaped Basketball preserves and promotes the stories of legends who helped shape the game, safeguarding an important part of our sport’s cultural heritage while inspiring future generations through their experiences, leadership, and lasting contributions to the game.” – Theren Bullock Jr., Head of the FIBA Foundation.
By exploring the "Women in Basketball hub," readers can dive into the project’s wider scope. This space will continue to expand, with additional open archive materials, interviews, and articles that will progressively be made available in the upcoming months to enrich the historical record.
For deeper reading, the full report offers a comprehensive analysis, while the executive summary provides an accessible entry point to share across your networks.
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About the FIBA Foundation
The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports, particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
FIBA’s cultural heritage is the heart of the FIBA Foundation’s cultural and historical activities. It is one of the driving forces behind the promotion and dissemination of FIBA’s values.