Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze has joined the likes of David Robinson and Teresa Edwards (USA), Zoran Slavnic (Serbia), Paula Gonclaves (Brazil) and Jean-Jacques Conceicao (Angola) as a 2013 player inductee into the FIBA Hall of Fame. He joins his father, Lindsay Gaze, as one of three Australians to be inducted to the Hall.
The press release from Basketball Australia lists the great man's outstanding career achievements:
Basketball Australia today congratulated Andrew Gaze AM on his induction to the FIBA Hall of Fame.
Gaze will be one of just twelve world class basketball personalities from 10 different countries to make up the 2013 Class that will be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame on 19 June 2013.
One of the greats of Australian and international basketball, Gaze led the Australian Boomers to an astounding five Olympic Games – including as the flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the Australian Team Captain.
He was inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2005 after becoming a member of the Order of Australia in 2002.
Gaze joins his father Lindsay, the legendary NBL and Boomers coach, in the FIBA Hall of Fame as just the third Australian (along with Dr Al Ramsay).
A humbled Gaze said to be honoured by the game governing body and to be recognised alongside basketball’s greats was an amazing experience.
“I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career to be a part of this great game both here in Australia and on the international stage,” Gaze said.
“To be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame is the highest honour in our sport and I feel truly humbled to join these amazing men and women who have served basketball so well.”
In a career spanning three decades, Gaze became an all-time great of the National Basketball League, winning 14 scoring titles and seven NBL MVPs to go with two NBL Championships.
Gaze was named NBL Rookie of the Year in 1984, going on to play all of his 612 games with the Melbourne Tigers, setting the all-time mark for points (18,908).
On the international stage Gaze forged his reputation as one of Australia’s finest products, appearing at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games as a 19-year-old.
The Olympic Games and FIBA World Championships (4 – 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998) weren’t Gaze’s only international foray, leading Seaton Hall University to the 1989 NCAA Championship game before stints in the NBA with the Washington Bullets (Wizards) and the San Antonio Spurs – winning the 1999 NBA title.
Chair of the Basketball Australia Board Scott Derwin praised Gaze’s contribution to basketball in Australia and internationally, congratulating him on the Hall of Fame accolade.
“Andrew is one of the icons of the game in Australia and around the world,” Derwin said.
“His contribution to basketball as a player is legendary, and now as a member of the Basketball Australia board, Andrew continues to devote himself to the game.
“We congratulate Andrew on becoming the third Australian to be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.”
Gaze has served on Basketball Australia Board since July 2008 and is currently Chair of the High Performance Commission.
Andrew Gaze – Profile
NBL Career
- 612 NBL Games for the Melbourne Tigers (1984-2005)
- NBL Most Valuable Player: (7) 1991-1992, 1994-1998
- NBL Scoring Title: (14) 1986, 1988-1989, 1991-2001
- NBL Championship: (2) 1993, 1997
- NBL All-time Leading Scorer: 18,908 points
Australian Boomers
- Olympic Games: (5) 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000
- FIBA World Championships: (4) 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998
- Australian International Player of the Year: (6) 1990, 1994-1996, 1998, 2000
- FIBA Greatest 50 Players (1991)
