Basketball family mourns passing of French great Frederic Forte
MIES - It is with huge sadness that FIBA on Monday heard of the passing of former France international Frédéric Forte.
MIES - It is with huge sadness that FIBA on Monday heard of the passing of former France international Frederic Forte.
The former playmaker passed away of a heart attack on Sunday evening. He was 47 years old.
French Basketball Federation (FFBB) President and FIBA Central Board Member Jean-Pierre Siutat paid tribute to Forte.
"I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Fred Forte's death," he said. "He was a huge figure of French basketball. Fred was courageous, whole, in love with his sport and faithful to his beliefs. My first thoughts go out to his family, his daughters, his friends and his club of Limoges. I wish to pass on to them, on behalf of the French federation and all of French basketball, my most sincere condolences."
During his playing days, Forte represented France on 73 occasions between 1987 and 1999.
His professional career spanned from 1986 to 2005, during which time he suited up for Caen, Limoges, Gravelines, PSG-Racing, Iraklis Thessaloniki BC (Greece), Strasbourg as well as Italian sides Avelino and Legea Scafati. The talented point guard was part of the Limoges team crowned European champions in 1993 after beating a Benetton Treviso side led by Croatian star Toni Kukoc.
Inoubliable.
— Proballers (@WeAreProballers) December 31, 2017
💔 pic.twitter.com/dP7CEW5Zjw
Forte also helped Limoges win three league titles (1989, 1993 and 1994).
Following the end of his playing career, he returned to Limoges where, as president, he helped the famed club make an impressive recovery, climbing up from France's third division to regain its place in the top flight Pro A and be crowned French champions in 2014 and 2015.
The news of Forte's death saw an outpouring of tributes being paid, including by the French Federation and French league, his former clubs, team-mates and players he had mentored.
Décès de Frédéric Forte : Le basket français est en deuil https://t.co/KWCWzTii8j pic.twitter.com/iVSPouzbvx
— FFBB (@ffbasketball) December 31, 2017
L’ensemble du club du @limogescsp a l’immense douleur de vous annoncer le décès de son président Frédéric Forte. Le Club présente toutes ses condoléances à ses enfants, sa famille et ses proches.
— Limoges CSP (@limogescsp) December 31, 2017
La famille du basket en deuil en apprenant le décès brutal de Frédéric Forte une personnalité qui aura marqué le basket français. Nos pensées sincères à sa famille et au club. https://t.co/ajfiYZiyc2
— LNB (@LNBofficiel) December 31, 2017
Dear friends, this was the worst news at the beginning of the new year. We express our sincere condolences for your tremendous loss. We met Frederick in the ‘90s as an opponent on the court & we found him again 3 years ago as an exceptional president. R.I.P.
— PAOK BC (@PAOKbasketball) January 1, 2018
Je n'ai pas de mots ! Fred forte était un grand du basket ! Et un ami à moi , même si on était pas tjrs d'accord . R.I.P. Mon ami
— Fred Weis (@Bigfredstyle) December 31, 2017
La vie ne tient à rien .
— Mouhammadou Jaiteh (@mamjaiteh14) December 31, 2017
Ses derniers mots en partant de l'entraînement ce matin " demain je viens avec vous " ........
Grosse pensé à sa famille ...
Un grand monsieur de notre sport .
RIP Frédéric Forte 💚
Triste, choqué d’apprendre le décès de Fred... Cette photo représente assez bien notre relation, taquine mais avec un énorme respect mutuel. En ce 31 décembre je pense très fort aux tiens. Le basket français perd un visionnaire. Je t'aime Fred, repose en paix. #CspNation pic.twitter.com/ZUwiAC4znF
— Nobel Boungou-colo (@Nobeezy16) January 1, 2018
Toutes mes pensées vont à la famille de Fred Forté et aux fans du basket français #TropTôt..... #RIP #Limoges
— Alexis Ajinça (@AjincaAlexis42) January 1, 2018
Pensée émue pour @Fred_Forte et sa famille...
— Westermann Léo (@lwestermann) December 31, 2017
Pas toujours d'accord avec l'homme, mais un grand respect pour tous ce qu'il a accomplit. Un grand monsieur du Basket Français sans aucun doutes ! Repose en paix Fred #CSP #limoges
FIBA