Horacio Muratore, former president of Argentine Basketball and FIBA, dies at 74

Horacio Muratore, a towering figure in Argentine and international basketball, passed away on Saturday at the age of 74. Muratore was not only the former president of the Argentine Basketball Confederation (CAB) but also the sole Argentine to ever hold the position of president at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

The CAB expressed its profound sorrow, remembering Muratore as "one of the most transcendent leaders in the history of Argentine sports." FIBA also lamented the loss of its honorary president, highlighting the "incredible legacy" he built through his dedication to global basketball development. Born in Tucumán province, Muratore began his leadership journey at Tucumán BB club before taking the helm of the national basketball confederation in 1992, a role he maintained until 2008.

His leadership at CAB coincided with the golden era of the Argentine men's national team, the "Generación Dorada" (Golden Generation), which included stars like Manu Ginóbili, Luis Scola, and Andrés Nocioni. This period saw Argentina secure a silver medal at the 2002 World Championship in Indianapolis, a historic gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, alongside multiple continental titles.

Following his leadership of FIBA Americas from 2009 to 2014, Muratore was elected president of FIBA, serving from 2014 to 2019. FIBA noted that he guided the organization through a "crucial moment," implementing the new World Cup qualification system with international windows that allowed teams to play official matches in their home countries, thereby strengthening national federations both athletically and financially. After his presidency, he led the FIBA Foundation from 2019 to 2023, promoting social initiatives like 'Basketball For Good,' supporting youth basketball, and preserving basketball's historical heritage. Muratore also served as president of the Basketball Champions League Americas since its inception in 2019 and remained active in FIBA events until his final years. FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis described Muratore as "a much-loved and respected figure" to whom "world basketball owes enormous gratitude."

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one of the most transcendent leaders in the history of Argentine sports