MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA has chosen the third edition of World Basketball Day to underline how the sport inspires and positively shapes the lives of people around the globe - not least through some of the iconic figures who have ensured their legacy is woven into the fabric of the game.
Fittingly, World Basketball Day, recognized by the United Nations in 2023, provided a perfect platform to reveal which legends, whose outstanding contributions have impacted the sport so deeply, will now be enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame as Members of the Class of 2026.
Seven players and a coach will be honored at a ceremony on April 21, which will follow the eagerly anticipated FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Draw.
And, it's a German in the shape of hoops legend Dirk Nowitzki, as well as a FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup icon in Sue Bird of USA who headline the 2026 Class. They will be joined by fellow inductees Céline Dumerc, Hedo Türkoğlu, Clarisse Machanguana, Ludwik Miętta-Mikołajewicz, Wang Zhizhi, and Ismenia Pauchard.
Also, as part of the celebrations for World Basketball Day, FIBA has spoken to the direct descendants of the sport's creator Dr. James Naismith, to reflect on how the essence of the game remains - even as it enjoys staggering global growth.
Naismith's grandson Jim, who previously visited the House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland, three years ago to celebrate FIBA's 90th birthday, helped with fellow family members to give a fascinating and in-depth insight into the life and outlook of the sport's genius inventor.
Meanwhile, the concept for having a dedicated World Basketball Day came primarily from New York University professor and lifelong basketball devotee, David Hollander.
The annual occasion that now gives us all the chance to promote and celebrate how the sport makes the world a better place is down to him leading that campaign with the support of the FIBA Foundation.
As part of this third edition, there are 43 Basketball For Good Festivals taking place with the backing of the FIBA Foundation in 33 different countries and across all five FIBA regions.
It is expected that nearly 6,000 participants will take part and benefit from World Basketball Day campaigns around the key categories of Health & Wellbeing, Gender Equality, Disabilities, Refugees & Climate Action.
FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis, commented: "On this third edition of World Basketball Day, there are so many positives to reflect on and to celebrate. Not least, after the exciting and hugely successful Continental Cups, we enter the period of our World Cups in Berlin 2026 and Doha 2027.
"World Basketball Day shines an even stronger spotlight on the grassroots projects and Basketball for Good festivals helping to shape and change lives, the 3x3 basketball dreams from the streets to the Olympics, as well as the legends and icons of the game, who we are excited to be honoring as the newest FIBA Hall of Fame inductees.
"World Basketball Day is also the perfect time to encourage our family, friends and colleagues who are not yet engaged to pick up a ball or watch some action as we continue growing the sport around the globe," concluded Zagklis.
FIBA