The FIBA basketball community is mourning the death of Horacio Muratore, the highly respected former FIBA President and current Honorary President. Muratore led basketball’s world governing body from 2014 to 2019 and played an important role during a significant period of change and development for the sport.
One of his most important achievements as FIBA President was overseeing the introduction of a new competition system in 2017. The changes included international qualifying windows, which gave national teams the opportunity to play meaningful competitive matches in front of supporters in their own countries.
Six qualifying windows were held around the world ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. The new system helped national federations strengthen their finances and development while also giving players more opportunities to represent their countries and showcase their abilities.
Supporting and developing national federations was one of Muratore’s main priorities. Between September 2015 and April 2017, he personally met representatives from 181 national federations to understand their individual needs and help develop strategies covering areas such as governance, coaching, refereeing, administration, equipment, facilities, promotion and commercial opportunities.
Muratore was also a strong supporter of youth development. He believed that giving young people opportunities to become involved in basketball was essential to the continued growth of the sport around the world.
He played another important leadership role following the tragic death of FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann in 2018. During a difficult and uncertain period for the organisation, Muratore helped guide FIBA through the transition and contributed to maintaining stability and unity within the global basketball community.
After completing his term as FIBA President, Muratore became President of the FIBA Foundation, serving from 2019 to 2023. He remained committed to using basketball as a means of education and social development, particularly through the Foundation’s Basketball For Good programmes.
Mini Basketball was particularly important to Muratore because it had been part of his own introduction to the sport. He played a major role in helping expand the programme internationally and promoting its use as a way of giving children and young people opportunities to learn and develop through basketball.
He also supported initiatives such as Youth Leadership and Community Impact projects, helping to create opportunities for a new generation of leaders. His work also extended to preserving basketball’s history and cultural heritage, including supporting the FIBA Hall of Fame, the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball and the organisation’s historical archives.
Muratore’s involvement in basketball began long before his international leadership roles. He first played for Tucuman BB in his native Argentina and later became president of the club between 1983 and 1992. He then served as President of the Argentina Basketball Confederation from 1992 to 2008, during which time Argentine basketball reached major international heights.
Argentina reached the final of the 2002 FIBA Basketball World Cup and then achieved one of the greatest successes in its history by winning Olympic gold at Athens 2004. The national team also claimed a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Before becoming FIBA President, Muratore served as President of FIBA Americas from 2009 to 2014. From 2019 onwards, he also served as President of the Basketball Champions League Americas, helping guide the competition through its development and overseeing seven completed seasons.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis paid tribute to Muratore, describing him as a much-loved and respected figure within the FIBA family and beyond. He highlighted Muratore’s long-lasting contribution to basketball and his continued involvement with the organisation even after his formal leadership positions had ended.
Muratore remained a familiar presence at FIBA events, including the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 and activities at the House of Basketball. His passion for basketball, his commitment to young people and his dedication to the development of the sport have left a lasting legacy across the global basketball community.
