International Basketball Federation

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The International Basketball Federation (French: Fédération Internationale de Basketball), more commonly known by the French acronym FIBA (pronounced [ˈfibʌ]), is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball. Originally known as the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur (hence FIBA), in 1989 it dropped the Amateur from its official name but retained the initialism.

The FIBA defines the international rules of basketball, specifies the equipment and facilities required, regulates the transfer of athletes across countries, and controls the appointment of international referees. 213 national federations are now members, organized since 1989 into five zones or "commissions": Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

[edit] History

The association was founded in Geneva in 1932, two years after the sport was officially recognized by the IOC. Its original name was Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur. Eight nations were founding members: Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland. During the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, the Federation named James Naismith (1861-1939), the founder of basketball, as its Honorary President.

FIBA has organized a World Championship for men since 1950 and a World Championship for Women since 1953. Both events are now held every four years, alternating with the Olympics.

In 1989 FIBA opened the door to Olympic participation by professionals such as players from the NBA in the United States. At this point, the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur became the Fédération Internationale de Basketball, but retained FIBA as an abbreviation.

The Federation headquarters moved to Munich in 1956, then returned to Geneva in 2002. FIBA is in the process of building a new headquarters about 25 km north of Geneva in the town of Nyon, Switzerland. The new headquarters will be ready sometime around 2009.

[edit] FIBA Rankings

As of September 23, 2006.

Men's rankings (top 20)
Rank	Team	Points
1	USA	832.2
2	Argentina	720.0
3	Spain	619.0
4	Serbia	508.0
5	Lithuania	460.0
6	Greece	429.0
7	Italy	418.0
8	France	343.0
9	Germany	282.0
10	Australia	279.0
11	China	262.0
12	New Zealand	228.0
13	Puerto Rico	217.6
14	Angola	206.0
15	Canada	196.0
16	Turkey	194.0
17	Brazil	168.0
18	Russia	162.0
19	Croatia	125.0
20	Slovenia	121.0

Women's rankings (top 20)
Rank	Team	Points
1	USA	1,030.0
2	Australia	860.0
3	Russia	843.0
4	Brazil	556.0
5	France	357.0
6	Czech Republic	304.0
7	Cuba	297.0
8	Spain	294.0
9	South Korea	284.9
10	China	251.5
11	Canada	184.0
12	Argentina	162.4
13	Lithuania	159.0
14	Poland	154.0
15	Japan	123.5
16	Serbia	122.0
17	New Zealand	112.0
18	Senegal	109.0
19	Slovakia	98.0
20	Greece	88.0

[edit] External links

International basketball

Asia: FIBA Asia – Asian Championship

Africa: FIBA Africa – Africa Championship

Americas: FIBA Americas – Americas Championship

Oceania: FIBA Oceania – Oceania Championship

Europe: FIBA Europe – Eurobasket

Categories: Basketball organizations | 1932 establishments | IOC Recognised International Federations