By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The FIBA Hall of Fame is set to welcome more members, including Pau Gasol, Dawn Staley, and Mike Krzyzewski.
The Class of 2025, to be inducted on May 17 in Bahrain, was unveiled on Thursday.
Per the press release: “Spanish legend Pau Gasol, multi-time champion Dawn Staley of the USA and venerable coach Mike Krzyzewski headline the nine inductees to the FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Every member of the Class of 2025 will be honored at an enshrinement ceremony on May 17 that will take place alongside the FIBA Mid-Term Congress in Bahrain. A total of eight players and one coach are being recognized for their stellar individual contributions to the sport.
Gasol was a colossus on the floor for Spain, inspiring unprecedented success with his towering performances and leadership. He achieved superstardom status at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006 in Japan when he earned MVP honors alongside winning Spain’s first-ever major trophy. A five-time Olympian, the center was Spain’s flagbearer at London 2012 and led his nation to three medals at the Games. These accomplishments also came alongside three titles at the FIBA EuroBasket, as well as two NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dawn Staley, a floor general for the USA during her playing days, lifted the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup titles in 1998, in Germany, and in 2002 in China. The point guard played at three Olympic Games and conquered the gold medal on each occasion. She stepped out in 1996, 2000, and in Athens in 2004, when she was the flagbearer for her country. Staley won a total of 10 gold medals as an athlete, before transitioning to the sidelines. As the head coach, Staley steered the USA to gold at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 and at the 2020 Olympic Games.
Mike Krzyzewski masterminded USA’s effort to return to the summit following a blistering defeat in the Semi-Finals of the 2006 World Cup. He was at the helm of the star-laden Team USA that was nicknamed Redeem Team and conquered the Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympics and followed up by steering a Kevin Durant-led USA to World Cup glory in 2010, in Turkey.
‘Coach K’, as he is affectionately known, led USA to one more World Cup title and two more Olympic gold medals before stepping down as his nation’s head coach in 2016 to focus exclusively on his illustrious NCAA career, where he has no fewer than five championships.
Andrew Bogut came into prominence at the 2003 FIBA U19 World Cup, when he led Australia to their only, for now, gold medal at the competition. The big man, famed for his defensive prowess and passing skills, stepped out at two editions of the FIBA Basketball World Cup with the Boomers – one early in his career in 2006 and then signing off at the 2019 edition. He was also a three-time Olympian featuring in 2004, 2008, and 2016. Bogut starred for the Golden State Warriors when they conquered the NBA title in 2015.
The second female player on the 2025 list of inductees is Ticha Penicheiro of Portugal. The highly acclaimed guard won a EuroLeague Women title in 2007, the EuroCup Women in 2006, and a WNBA Championship in 2005 – alongside seven national titles in seven different countries.
Meanwhile three-time Olympian Leonor Borrell is considered as the best female Cuban player ever. Featuring at four editions of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, she propelled her country to a bronze medal in 1990 and was the top scorer of the 1986 tournament, averaging an impressive 26.7 points per game.
Alphonse Bilé of Côte d’Ivoire showcased his remarkable leadership by captaining his nation for eight years and linking his name to both of their winning campaigns in AfroBasket. He led The Elephants to their first-ever AfroBasket gold conquest, in 1981, and then proudly into the first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup a year later. Côte d’Ivoire conquered their second and only other AfroBasket title in 1985, with Bilé as their head coach.
Fadi El Khatib was an incredible centerpiece for Lebanon for many years, hitting the court at three consecutive FIBA Basketball World Cup editions during 2002, 2006 and 2010. He played a key role in helping his country achieve three silver medal finishes in 5 FIBA Asia Cup appearances.
Ratko Radovanovic was a talented youngster on a team of superstars who achieved legendary status in European basketball. Yugoslavia conquered the FIBA EuroBasket crown in 1977 – his first major tournament at senior level – the World Cup in 1978 and Olympic Gold in 1980. The skilled center conquered in total nine medals with Yugoslavia, as one of the most decorated players in the game and a prime member of the elite club of players to have achieved the triple crown of a World Cup title, Olympic Gold and EuroBasket title.
Here is the full list of inductees that make up the 2025 Class of the FIBA Hall of Fame:
Players
Alphonse Bilé (Côte d’Ivoire)
Andrew Bogut (Australia)
Leonor Borrell (Cuba)
Pau Gasol (Spain)
Fadi El Khatib (Lebanon)
Ticha Penicheiro (Portugal)
Ratko Radovanovic (Serbia)
Dawn Staley (USA)
Coaches
Mike Krzyzewski (USA)”
Photo Credit: FIBA