Patrick Baumann enshrined into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD (USA) - The late FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.

At a moving ceremony that ushered in a nine-member Class of 2020, the much-respected Baumann was recognized for his many contributions to basketball.

The esteemed Class of 2020 also included Kobe Bryant, the two-time Olympic champion of the United States who also served as Global Ambassador at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

Others inducted in the Class of 2020  were Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Eddie Sutton, Rudy Tomjanovich, Tamika Catchings, Kim Mulkey and Barbara Stevens.

Recognized posthumously for his contributions as a longtime FIBA executive and a member of the International Olympic Committee, Baumann was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame directly by its International Committee.

He was FIBA Secretary General from 2003 until October of 2018, when he died of heart attack while attending the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina.

Patrick Baumann's wife, Patricia, their son Paul and daughter Bianca participated in the Enshrinement Ceremony, with FIBA President Hamane Niang also in attendance.

His children accepted the honor of enshrinement on their father's behalf after Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame members Russ Granik and Vlade Divac officially presented the former FIBA Secretary General as an inductee.

"On behalf of my sister Bianca and my mother Patricia, I want to express my deep gratitude for the enshrinement of my father and thank the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for this great honor. My father lived and breathed basketball and even passed away whilst in a basketball arena. And so we cannot think a more fitting place to be remembered – he would be so pleased," said Paul Baumann.

His memory was also honored with the FIBA headquarters in Mies, Switzerland renamed to the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Global Ambassador Kobe Bryant is also in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020

Kobe Bryant, one of the game's most beloved athletes,  was also enshrined posthumously into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers died tragically in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020.

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