Former NBA commissioner David Stern and Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon headline a group of individuals who were inducted into FIBA’s Hall Of Fame Saturday.
Stern, who served as NBA commissioner from 1984-2014, first came together with FIBA Secretary General Borislav Stankovic to allow NBA players to play internationally.
Stern’s role in helping bring NBA players to the Olympics and influence over Basketball Without Borders Camp is now officially being honored.
“I am greatly honored to have been selected for induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame”, Stern said. “I am proud of my collaboration with Borislav Stankovic to unite and strengthen basketball on a global basis, which has been continued by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann.
“It is also a great honor for me to be inducted with Hakeem Olajuwon and the other class of 2016 inductees who have contributed so much to our game.”
Hakeem Olajuwon, who played for Team USA during the 1996 Olympics, won a Gold Medal with the team during international play.
Other inductees include Panagiotis Fasoulas, Juan Antonio San Epifanio, Manuel Raga, Jorge Canavesi, Michele Timms, and Juan Antonio Samaranch. The eight total individuals who were inducted come from seven different countries.
