Unveiling of William Jones bust
19/06/2015
FIBA Family
to read

FIBA unveils bust of Renato William Jones

MIES - FIBA on Friday unveiled a bust in honour of the late Renato William Jones, the first Secretary General of the International Basketball Federation.

Mr Jones was one of the founding fathers of FIBA, helping orchestrate its establishment on 18 June 1932. He served as its Secretary General from its inception until 1976.

His bust stands in front of the House of Basketball, next to the one of his successor as FIBA Secretary General, Mr Borislav Stankovic.

The work of sculptor Andres Lasanta Jimeno was unveiled during a ceremony attend by distinguished guests including Mr Jones's daughter, Rosemary, and the members of FIBA Executive's Committee.

Mr Stankovic recalled the first time he met Mr Jones.

"I first met Renato William Jones at the first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina," he said, thinking back to the time he played for Yugoslavia's national team at the inaugural staging of FIBA's flagship event.

Mr Stankovic, who worked alongside Mr Jones from 1960 to 1976, also summed up the sizeable impact the latter had had on international basketball.

"When FIBA was founded in 1932, it was an international federation that consisted of eight national member federations. By the time Mr Jones had finished his 44-year tenure as Secretary General of FIBA, it had 138 national member federations.

"I believe that we are all part of Renato William Jones - players, referees, coaches, officials, administrators of the sport, equipment providers."

FIBA President Horacio Muratore, who presided over the ceremony, also paid tribute to Mr Jones.

"Mr William Jones was FIBA's first Secretary General and a key person in the foundation of FIBA that happened 83 years ago, on 18 June 1932 in Geneva," he said.

"Given his efforts in the creation of FIBA, we found that we should honour him with a sculpture at the House of Basketball, the home of FIBA in Mies, which is close to FIBA’s birthplace."

FIBA