Dirk Nowitzki and Sue Bird were among eight individuals inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame during a ceremony held Tuesday in Berlin. The event also featured the draw for the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup, scheduled to take place in Berlin this September.

The Hall of Fame class included players Celine Dumerc, Hedo Turkoglu, Clarisse Machanguana, Wang Zhizhi, Ismenia Pauchard, and coach Ludwik Mietta-Mikolajewicz, alongside Nowitzki and Bird. Nowitzki, known for his 2007 NBA Most Valuable Player award and leading the Dallas Mavericks to the 2011 NBA championship, paid tribute to his longtime coach Holger Geschwindner, likening their relationship to that of iconic mentor and protégé pairs in history.

Bird, who retired in 2022 after a distinguished career that included five Olympic gold medals and four World Championships with the U.S. women’s national team, reflected on the journey that began in childhood before fame and accolades were part of the picture. “When you start playing as a kid, you’re not thinking about fame, that’s not the destination,” she said. “But when you get here and you look back on your career, you can see what a ride it’s been.”

At the 2026 Women’s World Cup draw, the tournament’s group stage was unveiled, highlighting a rematch between the United States, reigning champions, and runners-up China in Group D. Italy and the Czech Republic complete this group. Group A will see hosts Germany face Spain, Japan, and Mali, while Group B features European champions Belgium alongside Australia, Puerto Rico, and Turkey. Group C matches France with African champions Nigeria, South Korea, and Hungary.

In a separate announcement, FIBA confirmed that France will host the men’s basketball World Cup in 2031. The event is set to run from August 29 to September 14, with games held in Paris, Lyon, and Lille. The finals will take place in Paris. This marks France’s first time hosting the men’s tournament; the country recently earned a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics on home soil.

Additionally, Japan was selected to host the 2030 Women’s World Cup, which will be staged exclusively in Tokyo from November 26 to December 8. FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis praised both Japan and France, describing them as “basketball-loving nations” with the ability to infuse their events with a distinct local character and excellence, enhancing the experience for fans, players, and partners alike.