MANILA (Philippines) - A group of 12 individuals who made remarkable contributions to international basketball have been officially inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2023. The enshrinement ceremony took place at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila, Philippines.

This year's group includes legendary players Yao Ming (China), Penny Taylor (Australia), Yuko Oga (Japan), Katrina McClain (USA), Amaya Valdemoro (Spain), Wlamir Marques (Brazil), Angelo Monteiro dos Santos Victoriano (Angola), Sony Hendrawan (Indonesia); with both Carlos Loyzaga (Philippines) and Zurab Sakandelidze (Georgia) being inducted posthumously. The Class also includes deserved recognition for coaching duo Valerie Garnier (France) and Alessandro Gamba (Italy).

FIBA President Hamane Niang hailed the impact of each and celebrated their induction by saying: "We are honored to welcome these great basketball personalities into the FIBA Hall of Fame. The FIBA Hall of Fame is not only part of our basketball tradition, it is an institution that recognizes those who brought our sport to the level of popularity that it has today and inspires the next generation."

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis concluded the induction ceremony by stating: "Since 2007, we have welcomed into the FIBA Hall of Fame those who made the game. Coaches and players who have made their country and their club proud during FIBA competitions such as the World Cup. This is why we are honored to welcome these 12 fantastic basketball personalities into the 2023 Class of the FIBA Hall of Fame in the Philippines."

The organization of the FIBA Hall of Fame 2023 Ceremony in one of the host countries of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 reflects FIBA's desire and duty to pay tribute to those who played key roles in shaping the history of the game.

To view the acceptance speech, click on the links below for each inductee:

-              Alessandro Gamba
-              Valerie Garnier
-              Sony Hendrawan
-              Carlos Loyzaga
-              Wlamir Marques
-              Katrina McClain
-              Yao Ming
-              Yuko Oga
-              Zurab Sakandelidze
-              Penny Taylor
-              Amaya Valdemoro
-              Angelo Victoriano

To find out more about the FIBA Hall of Fame, click here, and to view the full ceremony, click here.

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About the FIBA Hall of Fame
The FIBA Hall of Fame is a shrine dedicated to the amazing people who built the foundations of the global sport of basketball since its birth until its accomplished glory of today. It strives to be a genuinely international institution, active in the promotion and remembrance of basketball all over the world and houses the great men and women who were proactive and outstanding in the improvement and development of our sport. Created in 2007, it assembles over 180 outstanding players and coaches from 37 countries and all five continents to date. Its home is the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.

About FIBA
FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball - is an independent association formed by 212 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.