BERLIN (Germany) - The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 brought together the world's best players in a celebration of excellence, competition, and inspiration. Yet beyond the action on the court, another story unfolded throughout the tournament as numerous FIBA Hall of Famers helped shape the event through their presence, leadership, and engagement.
From ambassador roles to youth engagement and team management positions, some of the game's greatest figures played an important role in creating a memorable experience for fans, participants, and future generations alike.
Their involvement also reflected the FIBA Foundation's growing commitment to strengthen relationships with Hall of Famers and create meaningful opportunities for them to stay connected to the game they helped build.
Ambassadors for the Game
Two of the sport's most recognizable names, Sue Bird and Pau Gasol, served as Global Ambassadors for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026. Before and throughout the tournament, they helped promote the event while engaging with fans, stakeholders, and members of the basketball community. As respected ambassadors of the game, both legends helped elevate the tournament while inspiring a new generation of players and leaders.
Sharing Experience and Inspiring Future Leaders
Hall of Famers also took center stage at the FIBA Women in Basketball Forum, where Sue Bird, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki and Amaya Valdemoro shared their experiences and perspectives on leadership, legacy and the future of the sport with global leaders from sports, business and the media.
That commitment to empowering the next generation continued through the FIBA Women Leaders' Program. During the tournament, Bird and Gasol presented awards to the program's winners, recognizing emerging leaders who are helping drive positive change within basketball around the world. Their participation further highlighted the importance of mentorship and the value of learning from those who have reached the highest levels of the game.
Creating Lasting Memories for Young Players
For many young participants, some of the tournament's most memorable moments happened around the venues.
At the DBB Girls Festival, FIBA Hall of Famers Sue Bird, Ticha Penicheiro, Amaya Valdemoro and Clarisse Machanguana spent time with aspiring players, sharing stories and encouraging the girls to pursue their dreams both on and off the court.
Their presence provided inspiration that extended well beyond basketball, demonstrating the power of role models to influence and motivate future generations.
Continuing to Shape the Game
The influence of Hall of Famers could also be felt within the competition itself.
Freshly inducted, Sue Bird attended the tournament as Managing Director of the USA Women's National Team, helping guide the team to another world title. On the opposite side of the Final stood fellow Class of 2026 inductee Céline Dumerc, who served as General Manager of the French National Team.
Their involvement demonstrated how Hall of Famers continue to shape the sport not only through their achievements of the past, but also through their ongoing contributions to its future.
Other Hall of Famers, including Natalia Hejková, Isabelle Fijalkowski and Alphonse Bilé, were also present throughout the tournament, while additional legends participated in TCL Player of the Game Awards distribution and various event activities.
As the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 showcased the very best of the women's game, it also highlighted the unique role Hall of Famers can play in connecting generations. By bringing together the sport's most iconic figures with young players, emerging leaders, and basketball fans from around the world, the tournament demonstrated that the legacy of the game is not only preserved through history, but also through the continued involvement of those who helped make it great.
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The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.
FIBA