MIES (Switzerland) - Celebrated French point guard Céline Dumerc will be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in recognition of her incredible contribution to the sport at both the international and club level. Dumerc will be enshrined at a ceremony on April 21 in Berlin and will be joined by Sue Bird (USA); Clarisse Machanguana (Mozambique); Dirk Nowitzki (Germany); Ismenia Pauchard (Chile); Hedo Türkoğlu (Türkiye); and Wang Zhizhi (China), with Ludwik Miętta‑Mikołajewicz (Poland) inducted as a coach.
The playmaker was revered for her outstanding defensive skills, composure and decision-making at the highest level. Quickly rising and establishing herself as a standout leader and eventually captain of the French national team, she inspired her country to an array of podium finishes during her glittering career on the court.
One of the highest points came at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2009 when Dumerc was part of a title-winning team that still remains the last French side to land the prestigious silverware.
She eventually accumulated an eye-catching eight appearances in the competition, taking a silver medal in 2013, 2015 and 2017 - as well as taking bronze in 2011. Dumerc was also named to the FIBA Women's EuroBasket All-Star Five on three separate occasions.
Another memorable chapter was written at London 2012, when France made the Final at the Games for the very first time. Dumerc was superb throughout the tournament in the British capital as France eventually had to settle for the silver medal after being beaten in the title game by USA.
Meanwhile, the Tarbes native also cemented her status as one of the most high-performing players in the global women's game by featuring in three editions of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup during 2006, 2010 and 2014. With 262 appearances, Dumerc is her country’s most capped player ever.
At club level, Dumerc has also set all-time highs including her 4,703 points in the French League where she harvested a stellar seven titles. Synonymous with Tango Bourges Basket, she won six of those titles in two different spells with the club, then also winning the competition later in her career at Basket Landes.
One of the most memorable moments came when Bourges won EuroCup Women on 2016, made extra sweet with it coming in front of the home fans at Le Prado.
She also harvested a wonderful seven French Cup titles and found success with UMMC Ekaterinburg which brought two Russian League titles and two Russian Cups. Dumerc also got to experience the WNBA too, stepping out with Atlanta Dream.
It is no surprise that individual accolades have also flowed throughout her career, headlined by being handed the French National Order of Merit in 2012.
Other honors alongside multiple MVP awards have included the Robert Busnel Medal, which is highest distinction of the French Basketball Federation, being crowned FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year and receiving the famed Alain Gilles Trophy.
During recent years, Dumerc has utilized her vast experience as General Manager of the French Women's National Team.
Name | Céline Dumerc |
Category of inductee | (Player) Point guard |
Date of birth | 9th July 1982 |
Place of birth | Tarbes, France |
Nationality | French |
Height | 1.70m, 5ft 7in |
Clubs | CFBB (1997-2000) Tarbes (2000-2003) Bourges (2003-2009) UMMC Ektaterinburg (2009-2011) Bourges (2011-2016) Atlanta Dream (2014) Basket Landes (2016-2023) |
Club highlights | Seven-time French Cup winner (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2022, 2023) Three-time French Federation Cup winner (2006, 2007, 2008) Two-time Russian Cup winner (2010, 2011) Two-time Russian League champion (2010, 2011) Two-time French SuperCup winner (2014, 2015) Seven-time French League champion (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2021) FIBA EuroCup Women champion (2016) |
National Team highlights | FIBA Women’s EuroBasket gold medallist (2009) FIBA Women’s EuroBasket bronze medallist (2011) Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament silver medallist (2012) Three-time FIBA Women’s EuroBasket silver medallist (2013, 2015, 2017) |
Individual highlights | Played in eight FIBA EuroBasket (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) Played in three FIBA Basketball World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014) Two time French League Best Young Player (2001, 2002 French Federation Cup Best Player (2007) Two time French League Best French Player (2008, 2014) Three time FIBA Women's EuroBasket Women All-Star Five (2009, 2013, 2015) FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year (2012) La Gazzetta dello Sport's European Female Player of the Year (2012) French National Order of Merit: (2012) Radio France's French Sportsman of the Year (2012) Robert Busnel Medal, highest distinction of the French Basketball Federation (2013) French player of the year (2017) Alain Gilles Throphy (2017) French League Best Five Players 1998-2018 (2018) 262 Games with the National Team 4,703 points in the French League |
FIBA