Basketball News

 

NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME AND BARON® CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS EXTEND PARTNERSHIP

- Baron® Championship Rings to Remain Exclusive Ring Provider for Five Additional Years -

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (December 3, 2024) – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has announced the extension of its partnership with Baron® Championship Rings as the exclusive ring provider for the Basketball Hall of Fame for an additional five years. Baron® will continue to craft commemorative rings for the newest Hall of Fame Class members through 2029.

As part of the extended partnership, Baron® has also collaborated with the Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic in Phoenix, where they will provide custom-designed rings to the tournament’s winning teams each year throughout the agreement.

“We are pleased to announce the extension of our partnership with Baron Championship Rings,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Each Class through 2029 will continue to receive beautiful commemorative rings created by the Baron team, and we are proud to be supporting their community initiatives as well.” 

A key element of the renewed partnership is the Hall of Fame’s support of Baron’s “Leave No One Behind Program.” This initiative was developed to help players, coaches, or entire organizations who lack the financial resources to fully participate in or celebrate their sport. The program seeks to alleviate burdens such as league fees, uniforms, or even championship rings, ensuring no one is sidelined due to financial constraints. With the support of partners like the Hall of Fame, Baron® aims to expand the program’s reach and impact.

“Baron® is honored to support the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue working with them to modernize their recognition and commemorative collections,” said Drina Baron-Zinyk, President of Baron® Championship Rings. “The Hall of Fame is a cornerstone of our portfolio, and we are committed to playing a pivotal role in their efforts. As a North American company with innovative design and manufacturing capabilities, we are proud to lead the way in revolutionizing the Championship Ring market.”

The renewed partnership underscores a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and community impact, ensuring that each Hall of Fame Class continues to be celebrated with the distinction they deserve.

About Baron® Championship Rings

YOUR JOURNEY - YOUR MOMENT - YOUR LEGACY / OUR PEOPLE - OUR PROCESS - OUR PRODUCT

As a Championship-focused brand, Baron® Championship Rings is relentlessly committed to designing and crafting superior story-driven products. Our mission is to create and deliver Championship Rings that embody our high school, college, and pro-market clients' journeys, moments, and legacies.

Our People are the cornerstone of our success. We are dedicated to providing a positive and supportive work environment that fosters growth, development, and innovation. We believe that when our employees thrive, so do our customers and partners.

Our Process is designed to ensure that every Championship Ring we create is of the highest quality, from start to finish. We employ a meticulous approach to every step of the process, from design to production to delivery. This attention to detail and commitment to excellence is what sets us apart.

Our Product is more than just a Championship Ring; it symbolizes achievement and excellence. We take pride in creating Championship Rings that are not only visually stunning but also represent the hard work and dedication of the teams and individuals who earn them.

www.baronrings.com

About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophall.

Madagascar win double at FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2024

DECEMBER 1, 2024 ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) - Madagascar (men and women) get wins over Rwanda and Egypt respectively to win the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2024 on December 1.  It was a dominant run from the men as they went unbeaten on their way to the final, last defeating a gritty Algerian side in the Semis. The team had been firing on all cylinders, led on offense by Elly Randriamampionona and Livio Ratianarivo but getting big contributions from the remaining duo.  The final against Rwanda was as one-sided as it gets. The home side couldn’t be stopped as they caught fire from deep. Livio, who had been unstoppable on the day, put up 11 points in the resounding result. The game turned into a result for the history books as Madagascar came away with a 22 - 3 victory.  The women’s side had a similar run of form, going unbeaten on their way to the final where they faced a strong Egypt side, a team they barely got the better of in pool play.  It was a back-and-forth game for the most part, but it was Minaoharisoa Jaofera whose all-round performance paved the way for a breakthrough. An 8-point, 6-rebound display sealed the deal for the home side as they secured the 20 - 15 result.  In the bronze medal games, the 2023 Africa Cup Gold medalists Kenya (women) got a win over Benin. Esther Ashley Minayo took over with a 10-point, 6-rebound game in a 20 - 11 victory.  The dynamic Algerians (men) finished an electric tournament with bronze over Benin in an 18 - 15 win. Scoring machine Chakib Sedoud put up 9 points and 7 rebounds in the winning effort. Livio Ratianarivo was the offensive star of the tournament, he put up 24 points over 2 games on the final day, bookending a perfect display from Madagascar in this event. He took home MVP honors and led the men’s team of the tournament alongside Rwanda’s Olivier Turatsinze and Algeria’s Chakib Sedoud who were the key pieces in their teams medaling in Antananarivo.  Madagascar’s (women) Christiane Jaofera was the floor general for her side. She finished with a tournament-high player value of 32.9. Her output on both ends led the home side to the win. She won the MVP award, headlining the women’s team of the tournament with Egypt’s Habiba Mohamed and Kenya’s Christine Akinyi who were the driving forces for their teams as they finished with silver and bronze respectively.  Men's standings 1. Madagascar 2. Rwanda 3. Algeria 4. Benin 5. Kenya 6. Mauritania 7. Seychelles 8. Central African Republic 9. Uganda 10. Egypt Women's standings 1. Madagascar 2. Egypt 3. Kenya 4. Benin 5. Rwanda 6. Uganda 7. Comoros

Stability defines the latest FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike NOVEMBER 29, 2024 MIES (Switzerland) - The top 10 of the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike remains unchanged as stability shines through in the updated list, although Brazil are knocking loudly on the door after the conclusion of the Continental Cup Qualifiers. Racking up a pair of victories against Uruguay and Panama in the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers, Brazil are on the rise and have moved up from 12th place to 11th. This means they are now eyeing up a prestigious Top 10 spot having exchanged places with Slovenia who won one and lost one in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers. The Top 10 sees USA solidifying their status as the number one ranked nation, followed by second placed Serbia and then Germany. The top five is rounded out by France and Canada. The other climber along with Brazil in the Top 20 is Montenegro, who moved up to 16th place after claiming a pair of wins against Bulgaria. That propels them above Poland who replace them in 17th after splitting their games in the latest FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers window. Elsewhere in the rankings, Uruguay can reflect on a significant forward step by moving into the Top 50. That was achieved thanks to a vital win against Paraguay, which helped them to jump a couple of places. Other big movers in the Top 100 include Congo DR who jumped from five places from 78th to 73rd. They recorded two fantastic victories in the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers. After firstly beating Morocco, they produced a statement win against Paris 2024 competitors and top ranked African nation South Sudan who are a staggering 50 places higher. Another nation enjoying positive is FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 host nation Qatar. They leap nine places into the Top 100 at 92nd place after a pair of wins in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. Beating India, they followed it with a memorable and dramatic 78-77 contest with regional powerhouse Iran, who are a massive 64 places above them. For more information about the method used in the calculation of the FIBA World Ranking Men, please refer to the 'How it Works' section. Click here to view the full FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike. NUGGETS’ RUSSELL WESTBROOK FINED NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2024 – Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture on the playing court in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 145-118 loss to the New York Knicks on Nov. 25 at Ball Arena, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.    ATLANTA HAWKS FINED   NEW YORK, Nov. 26, 2024 – The NBA announced today that the Atlanta Hawks have been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s Player Participation Policy in connection with Trae Young missing the team’s Emirates NBA Cup game on Nov. 12 against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.    Following an investigation, including review by an independent physician, the NBA determined that the Hawks held Young out of a game that he could have played in under the medical standard in the Policy.  The organization’s conduct violated the Policy, which is intended to promote participation in the NBA’s regular season.    KINGS’ MIKE BROWN FINED   NEW YORK, Nov. 26, 2024 – Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown has been fined $35,000 for aggressively pursuing a game official during live play, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.   Brown’s actions took place during the Kings’ 108-103 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 24 at Golden 1 Center.  ROCKETS’ FRED VANVLEET FINED NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2024 – Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has been fined $50,000 for confronting and directing profane language toward the officiating staff near the conclusion of the Rockets’ 104-98 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 23 at Toyota Center, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.  De Jong named FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2024 regular season MVP NOVEMBER 23, 2024 HONG KONG - Dutch superstar Worthy de Jong's unforgettable year continued after he was crowned MVP of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2024 regular season. Voted by a panel of fans and players, de Jong's incredible season included MVPs in Amsterdam's triumphs in Ulaanbaatar and Abu Dhabi. The scoring machine averaged 7.1 ppg which was the second highest mark on the World Tour (minimum 20 games). He was also involved in countless highlight plays to cement his status as 'Hype Worthy'. De Jong had the support of the players with 27.08% of the vote followed by Riffa superstar Dennis Donkor (20.83%), while Ub Huishan NE's Strahinja Stojacic and Vienna's Nico Kaltenbrunner had 12.5%. Paris excitement machine Franck Seguela underlined his global popularity after easily winning the fan vote with 40.57%. De Jong finished second (13.46%) and Stojacic third (13.36%). De Jong, who finished second in MVP voting last season, ended the stranglehold of No.1 ranked Stojacic, who claimed the top honor during the previous two seasons. It is the latest accolade in an incredible year for de Jong, who was etched in Olympic lore after leading the Netherlands to gold at the Paris Games with an MVP performance. De Jong joins a select list of World Tour MVPs alongside Dusan Bulut (2018), Dominique Jones (2019), Nauris Miezis (2020), Karlis Lasmanis (2021) and Strahinja Stojacic (2022-23).