2013 Class of FIBA Hall of Fame: profile of Cesare Rubini (ITA)

MIES (FIBA Hall of Fame) - On Monday 27 May, FIBA announced the 2013 Class of Inductees of the FIBA Hall of Fame. Over the next three weeks (weekdays from 28 May to 12 June), we will profile all 12 of the inductees. Today we look at Italy's Cesare Rubini.

As accomplished as Cesare Rubini was as a sportsman, he was equally gifted as a coach, if not more so.

This year, the FIBA Hall of Fame has opened its doors to the Italian because of his accomplishments as the latter.

Now learned basketball fans will be able to reminisce about his past glories, and new fans will be able to discover what made Rubini special.

The Trieste-born Rubini truly excelled first as a player, and then as a coach.

And he did so in two different sports.

In 1946, Rubini suited up for the Azzurri at the EuroBasket in Geneva and helped the team capture a silver medal.

One year later and Rubini, who also had a passion for water polo, jumped into the pool with Italy and helped that national team also claim silver.

In 1948, when Italian sides were being assembled to compete at the London Games, Rubini was offered the opportunity to become an Olympian by both sports.

He chose water polo and helped power Italy to the gold medal.

By that time, Rubini had already been a player-coach with Olimpia Milano, the dominant force in Italian basketball at the time.

Rubini, who died in 2011, achieved so much in his life.

After a superb playing career, he dived head first into coaching.

In addition to a glorious club coaching career in which his teams won 10 Italian league titles and also celebrated European triumphs, Rubini attained legendary status at the helm of the Azzurri.

He coached Italy to silver at the 1980 Olympics, while at the EuroBaskets in '83, '85 and '91, his Azzurri sides won gold, bronze and silver.

Rubini was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 20 years ago and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2000.

Now, fans of international basketball will be able will be able to marvel at his successes as he is honored posthumously by FIBA.

FIBA