MIES, Switzerland – Kabilang si dating NBA commissioner David Stern sa walong indibiduwal sa 2016 Class of Inductees na iniluklok sa FIBA’s Hall of Fame nitong Sabado, sa Geneva at Mies, Switzerland.

Binigyan ng pagkilala si Stern, commissioner ng NBA (1984-2014), maging ang namayapang si Juan Antonio Samaranch, naging pangulo ng maimpluwensiyang International Olympic Committee (IOC) mula 1980 hanggang 2001.

Masigla ang relasyon ng NBA at FIBA para palakasin ang programa sa basketball na naging daan para payagan ang professional player na makibahagi sa pinakamalaking palaro sa mundo.

“I am greatly honored to have been selected for induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame,” sambit ni Stern.

Filipino Olympian Hergie Bacyadan wagi kontra Chinese kickboxer; sinungkit gintong medalya

“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,” aniya.

Pangungunahan naman ni Nigerian-American NBA superstar Hakeem Olajuwon ang limang dating player na iluluklok sa Hall of Fame. Makakasama niya sina Michele Timms ng Australia, Spain’s Juan Antonio San Epifanio, Panagiotis Fasoulas ng Greece at Mexico’s Manuel Raga.

Kasama rin sa Class 2016 si coaching legend Jorge Canavesi ng Argentina.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce this stellar 2016 Class of the FIBA Hall of Fame,” pahayag ni FIBA President Horacio Muratore.

“These personalities contributed greatly to the growth, development and success of our sport.We look forward to honoring them,” aniya.