FIBA officially inducted its Class of 2026 into the FIBA Hall of Fame on Tuesday, April 21, with Dirk Nowitzki, Hidayet Turkoglu and Wang Zhizhi among the seven players honored during a ceremony in Berlin.
The event took place at the Kraftwerk Berlin alongside the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Draw, marking a global celebration of basketball’s international impact and history.
The Class of 2026 also included Sue Bird, Celine Dumerc, Clarisse Machanguana, Ludwik Mietta-Mikolajewicz and Ismenia Pauchard, along with the inducted coach, reflecting a wide representation of eras and nations.
Nowitzki’s career with Germany and the Dallas Mavericks defined a generation of European influence in the NBA, highlighted by an NBA championship in 2011 and the 2007 MVP award.
Nowitzki reflected on the broader meaning of sport during his induction, stating: “Sport has a unique way of shaping qualities like integrity and character. When I look back at my own journey today, I realize I owe sport so much more than this honor tonight. I wasn’t discovered through sport, through sport I discovered life and the world.”
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Turkoglu’s career helped elevate Turkish basketball on the international stage, with long-term success in FIBA competitions and a 15-year NBA career that included key roles with the Orlando Magic and multiple playoff runs.
Wang Zhizhi became a historic figure for Chinese basketball as the first player from China to compete in the NBA, opening the door for future generations while maintaining a strong international presence with the national team.
