# 2012 in basketball

The following are the basketball events of the year 2012 throughout the world.
Tournaments include international (FIBA), professional (club) and amateur and collegiate levels.

## National team tournaments
### Other FIBA-sanctioned tournaments

Men:
* 2012 William Jones Cup in Taipei:
    Philippines
    Mahram Tehran BC
    United States

## Professional club seasons
### Continental championships

Men:
* Euroleague:
** Olympiacos CSKA Moscow FC Barcelona Regal
*** Euroleague MVP: Andrei Kirilenko, CSKA Moscow
*** Euroleague Final Four MVP: Vassilis Spanoulis, Olympiacos
*** Alphonso Ford Trophy (season's leading scorer): Bo McCalebb, Montepaschi Siena
* Eurocup:
** Khimki Valencia Basket Lietuvos rytas
* EuroChallenge:
** Beşiktaş Milangaz Élan Chalon Triumph Lyubertsy
Women:
* EuroLeague Women:
** Ros Casares Valencia Rivas Ecópolis UMMC Ekaterinburg

### Transnational seasons
#### Men

| Region | League | Champion | Runners-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Southeast Asia | 2011−12 ABL season | Indonesia Warriors | San Miguel Beermen | 2−1 | Best-of-3 series |
| Balkans | 2011–12 BIBL season | Hapoel Gilboa Galil | Levski Sofia | 89−84 (OT) | One-game playoff |
| Baltic States | 2011–12 Baltic Basketball League | Zalgiris Kaunas | Lietuvos rytas | 74–70 | One-game playoff |
| Former Yugoslavia | 2011–12 ABA League | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Cedevita Zagreb | 87−77 | One-game playoff |
| Eastern Europe | 2011–12 VTB United League | CSKA Moscow | UNICS Kazan | 74–62 | One-game playoff |
| Australasia | 2011–12 NBL season | New Zealand Breakers | Perth Wildcats | 2–1 | Best-of-3 series |

### Domestic league seasons for men

| Nation | Tournament | Champion | Runner-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Albania | 2011–12 Albanian Basketball League | PBC Tirana | BC Kamza Basket | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Angola | 2011–12 BAI Basket | Rec do Libolo | 1° de Agosto | — | Double round-robin |
| Argentina | 2011–12 Liga Nacional de Básquet season | Peñarol | Obras Sanitarias | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| Austria | 2011–12 Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga season | Xion Dukes Klosterneuburg | Allianz Swans Gmunden | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Australia* | 2011–12 NBL season | New Zealand Breakers | Perth Wildcats | 2–1 | Best-of-3 series |
| Belarus | 2011–12 Belarusian Basketball League | Minsk-2006 | Grodno-93 | 97–74 | Single-game final |
| Belgium | 2011–12 Belgian Basketball League | Base Oostende | Spirou Charleroi | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Belgium | 2012 Belgian Basketball Cup | Okapi Aalstar | Antwerp Giants | 96–89 (OT) | Single-game final |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2011–12 Basketball Championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina | HKK Široki | KK Igokea | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Brazil | 2011–12 NBB season | Brasília | São José Basketball | 78–62 | Single-game final |
| Bulgaria | 2011–12 National Basketball League | Lukoil Academic | Levski Sofia | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Bulgaria | 2012 Bulgarian Basketball Cup | Lukoil Academic | Levski Sofia | 83–81 | Single-game final |
| Canada | 2011–12 NBL Canada season | London Lightning | Halifax Rainmen | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| China | 2011–12 CBA season | Beijing Ducks | Guangdong Southern Tigers | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Croatia | 2011–12 A-1 League | Cibona Zagreb | Cedevita Zagreb | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Cyprus | 2011–12 Cyprus Basketball Division A | | | | |
| Czech Republic | 2011–12 National Basketball League | ČEZ Nymburk | Prostějov | 4–0 | Best-of-7 series |
| Denmark | 2011–12 Basketligaen | Bakken Bears | Svendborg Rabbits | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| Estonia | 2011–12 KML season | Kalev/Cramo | University of Tartu | 4–0 | Best-of-7 series |
| Finland | 2011–12 Korisliiga season | Nilan Bisons Loimaa | Joensuun Kataja | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| France | 2011–12 Pro A season | Élan Chalon | Le Mans | 95–76 | Single-game final |
| France | 2012 French Basketball Cup | Élan Chalon | Limoges CSP | 83–75 | Single-game final |
| France | 2012 Leaders Cup | Élan Chalon | Gravelines | 73–66 | Single-game final |
| Georgia | 2011–12 Georgian Superliga | | | | |
| Germany | 2011–12 Basketball Bundesliga | Brose Baskets | Ratiopharm Ulm | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Germany | 2012 BBL-Pokal | Brose Baskets | Telekom Baskets Bonn | 82–73 | Single-game final |
| Great Britain | 2011–12 British Basketball League season | Newcastle Eagles | Leicester Riders | 71–62 | Single-game final |
| Greece | 2011–12 Greek Basket League | Olympiacos | Panathinaikos | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Greece | 2011–12 Greek Basketball Cup | Panathinaikos | Olympiacos | 71–70 | Single-game final |
| Hungary | 2011–12 Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A | | | | |
| Hungary | 2012 Magyar Kupa | Szolnoki Olaj | Atomerőmű SE | 85–75 | Single-game final |
| Iceland | 2011–12 Icelandic Premier League | Grindavík | Þór Þorl | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Indonesia | 2011–12 NBL Indonesia | Satria Muda BritAma | Aspac Jakarta | 59–42 | Single-game final |
| Iran | 2011–12 Iranian Basketball Super League | Mahram Tehran BC | Petrochimi Bandar Imam | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Ireland | 2011–12 Irish Premier League | | | | |
| Israel | 2011–12 Israeli Basketball Super League | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Maccabi Ashdod | 83–63 | Single-game final |
| Israel | 2011–12 Israeli Basketball State Cup | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Maccabi Rishon LeZion | 82–69 | Single-game final |
| Italy | 2011–12 Lega Basket Serie A | Montepaschi Siena | EA7 Emporio Armani Milano | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Italy | 2012 Italian Basketball Cup | | | | |
| Kazakhstan | 2011–12 Kazakhstan Basketball Championship | | | | |
| Kazakhstan | 2011–12 Kazakhstan Basketball Cup | | | | |
| Kosovo | 2011–12 Kosovo Basketball Superleague | | | | |
| Latvia | 2011–12 Latvian Basketball League | VEF Rīga | Ventspils | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Lithuania | 2011–12 LKL season | Žalgiris | Lietuvos rytas | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Macedonia | 2011–12 Macedonian First League | | | | |
| Montenegro | 2011–12 Prva A liga | KK Budućnost | KK Sutjeska | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Netherlands | 2011–12 DBL season | EiffelTowers Den Bosch | ZZ Leiden | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Netherlands | 2011–12 NBB Cup | ZZ Leiden | Magixx KidsRights | 88–74 | Single-game final |
| New Zealand | 2012 New Zealand NBL season | Auckland Pirates | Wellington Saints | 89–83 | Single-game final |
| Philippines | 2011–12 PBA Philippine Cup | Talk N' Text Tropang Texters | Powerade Tigers | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Philippines | 2012 PBA Commissioner's Cup | B-Meg Llamados | Talk N' Text Tropang Texters | 4–3 | Best-of-7 series |
| Philippines | 2012 PBA Governors' Cup | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | B-Meg Llamados | 4–3 | Best-of-7 series |
| Philippines | 2012 PBA D-League Foundation Cup | NLEX Road Warriors | Big Chill Super Chargers | 2–0 | Best-of-3 series |
| Puerto Rico | 2011–12 BSN season | Indios de Mayagüez | Capitanes de Arecibo | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Poland | 2011–12 Tauron Basket Liga | Asseco Prokom Gdynia | Trefl Sopot | 4–3 | Best-of-7 series |
| Portugal | 2011–12 LPB season | Benfica | Porto | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Romania | 2011–12 Liga Națională | Asesoft Ploieşti | Elba Timişoara | 4–0 | Best-of-7 series |
| Russia** | 2011–12 PBL season | CSKA Moscow | BC Khimki | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Serbia | 2011–12 Basketball League of Serbia | Partizan | Red Star | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Serbia | 2011–12 Radivoj Korać Cup | Partizan mt:s | Crvena zvezda DIVA | 64–51 | Single-game final |
| Slovenia | 2011–12 Slovenian Basketball League | Krka | Union Olimpija | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Spain | 2011–12 ACB season | FC Barcelona Regal | Real Madrid | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Spain | 2012 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto | Real Madrid | FC Barcelona Regal | 91–74 | Single-game final |
| Sweden | 2011–12 Basketligan season | Norrköping Dolphins | Södertälje Kings | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| Switzerland | 2011–12 Championnat LNA season | Lugano Tigers | Unknown | No data available | No data available |
| Taiwan | 2011–12 Taiwan Super Basketball League | Pauilan Archiland | Dacin Tigers | No data available | No data available |
| Turkey | 2011–12 Turkish Basketball League | Beşiktaş Milangaz | Anadolu Efes | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| Turkey | 2011–12 Turkish Basketball Cup | Beşiktaş Milangaz | Banvit B.K. | 78–74 | Single-game final |
| Ukraine | 2011–12 Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague | Aviastar Donetsk | Musson Azovmash | 4–0 | Best-of-7 series |
| United States*** | 2011–12 NBA season | Miami Heat | Oklahoma City Thunder | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| United States*** | 2012 NBA Europe Live Tour | FC Barcelona Regal | Dallas Mavericks | 99–85 | Single-game final |
*Includes one team from New Zealand.
**Includes one team each from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Latvia. The highest ranking team is also named as the Russian champions.
***Includes one team from Canada.

### Domestic league seasons for women

* WNBA
** Season:
*** Eastern Conference: Indiana Fever
*** Western Conference: Minnesota Lynx
** Finals: The Fever defeat the Lynx 3–1 in the best-of-5 series.

### College seasons for men

| Nation | League / Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Canada | 2012 CIS Men's Basketball Championships | Carleton Ravens | Alberta Golden Bears | 86–67 | Single-game final |
| Philippines | NCAA Season 88 | San Beda Red Lions | Letran Knights | 2–1 | Best-of-three series |
| Philippines | UAAP Season 74 | Ateneo Blue Eagles | UST Growling Tigers | 2–0 | Best-of-three series |
| Philippines | 2012 Philippine Collegiate Champions League | UST Growling Tigers | Ateneo Blue Eagles | 2–1 | Best-of-three series |
| United States | NCAA Division I | Kentucky Wildcats | Kansas Jayhawks | 67–59 | Single-game final |
| United States | National Invitation Tournament | Stanford Cardinals | Minnesota Golden Gophers | 75–51 | Single-game final |
| United States | College Basketball Invitational | Pittsburgh Panthers | Washington State Cougars | 2–1 | Best-of-three series |
| United States | CollegeInsider.com Tournament | Mercer Bears | Utah State Aggies | 70–67 | Single-game final |
| United States | NCAA Division II | Western Washington | Montevallo | 72–65 | Single-game final |
| United States | NCAA Division III | Wisconsin–Whitewater | Cabrini College | 63–60 | Single-game final |
| United States | NAIA Division I | Concordia (California) | Oklahoma Baptist | 72–69 | Single-game final |
| United States | NAIA Division II | Oregon Institute of Technology | Northwood University | 63–46 | Single-game final |
* NJCAA
** Division I:
** Division II:
** Division III:

### College seasons for women

* NCAA
** Division I: Baylor 80, Notre Dame 61
*** Baylor becomes the first team in NCAA basketball history to win 40 games in a season.
*** Most Outstanding Player: Brittney Griner, Baylor
** WNIT: Oklahoma State 75, James Madison 68
** Women's Basketball Invitational:
** Division II: Shaw 88, Ashland 82 (OT)
** Division III: Illinois Wesleyan 57, George Fox 43
* NAIA
** NAIA Division I:
** NAIA Division II:
* NJCAA
** Division I:Trinity Valley Community College 69, Hutchinson Community College 55
** Division II:Monroe College 78, Lake Michigan College 73
** Division III:Rock Valley College 82, Roxbury Community College 64
* UAAP Women's: FEU defeated La Salle in two games to win their second consecutive champion and finish an undefeated season.

### Prep

* USA Today Boys Basketball Ranking #1:
* USA Today Girls Basketball Ranking #1:
* NCAA (Philippines) Juniors: San Beda Red Cubs defeated La Salle Green Hills Greenies 2+1–1 in the best-of-5 finals. Because San Beda were unbeaten in the elimination round, they were given a 1–0 series lead before finals play started.
* UAAP Juniors: NUNS Bullpups defeated FEU–D Baby Tamaraws 2–1 in the best-of-3 finals.

## Awards and honors
### Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

* Class of 2012:
** Players: Mel Daniels, Katrina McClain, Reggie Miller, Ralph Sampson, Chet Walker, Jamaal Wilkes
** Coaches: Lidia Alexeyeva, Don Nelson
** Contributors: Don Barksdale, Phil Knight
** Referees: Hank Nichols
** Teams: All American Red Heads

### Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

* Class of 2012
** Nancy Fahey
** Nikki McCray
** Pamela McGee
** Inge Nissen
** Robin Roberts
** Dawn Staley

### Professional

* Men
** NBA Most Valuable Player Award: LeBron James, Miami Heat
** NBA Rookie of the Year Award: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
** NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award: Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks
** NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award: James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder
** NBA Most Improved Player Award: Ryan Anderson, Orlando Magic
** NBA Sportsmanship Award: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
** NBA Coach of the Year Award: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
** J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
** NBA Executive of the Year Award: Larry Bird, Indiana Pacers
** FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award: Andrei Kirilenko, 2011–12 Minnesota Timberwolves
** Euroscar Award:Andrei Kirilenko, 2011–12 Minnesota Timberwolves
** NBA All-Star Game MVP:Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
** Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award: Pat Riley, Miami Heat
* Women
** WNBA Most Valuable Player Award: Tina Charles, Connecticut Sun
** WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
** WNBA Rookie of the Year Award: Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
** WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Award: Renee Montgomery, Connecticut Sun
** WNBA Most Improved Player Award: Kristi Toliver, Los Angeles Sparks
** Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Kara Lawson, Connecticut Sun
** WNBA Coach of the Year Award: Carol Ross, Los Angeles Sparks
** FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award: Expected to be announced in February 2013.
** WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

### Collegiate

* Combined
** Legends of Coaching Award: Geno Auriemma, Connecticut
* Men
** John R. Wooden Award: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
** Naismith College Coach of the Year: Bill Self, Kansas
** Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award: Reggie Hamilton, Oakland
** Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
** NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player: Luke Hancock, Louisville
** USBWA National Freshman of the Year: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
** Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year: Frank Haith, Missouri
** Naismith Outstanding Contribution to Basketball: Don Meyer
* Women
** John R. Wooden Award: Brittney Griner, Baylor
** Naismith College Player of the Year: Brittney Griner, Baylor
** Naismith College Coach of the Year: Kim Mulkey, Baylor
** Wade Trophy: Brittney Griner, Baylor
** Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award: Tavelyn James, Eastern Michigan
** Associated Press Women's College Basketball Player of the Year: Brittney Griner, Baylor
** NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player: Brittney Griner, Baylor
** Basketball Academic All-America Team: Elena Delle Donne, Delaware
** Kay Yow Award: Karl Smesko, Florida Gulf Coast
** Carol Eckman Award: Sue Ramsey, Ashland University
** Maggie Dixon Award: Jennifer Hoover, High Point
** USBWA National Freshman of the Year: Elizabeth Williams, Duke
** Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year: Kim Mulkey, Baylor
** List of Senior CLASS Award women's basketball winners: Nneka Ogwumike, Stanford
** Nancy Lieberman Award: Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame
** Naismith Outstanding Contribution to Basketball: Teresa Edwards

## Events

* April 18 – Tennessee Lady Volunteers coach Pat Summitt stepped down after 38 years and 8 NCAA championships. She was succeeded by assistant Holly Warlick.
* December 17 – Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim became the third NCAA Division I men's coach with 900 career wins following the Orange's 72–68 win over Detroit. He had been preceded to 900 wins by Bob Knight and current leader Mike Krzyzewski.

## Movies

* Benji – A documentary about the life and 1984 murder of Chicago high school superstar Ben Wilson.
* The Other Dream Team – A documentary about the 1992 Lithuanian Olympic basketball team.
* Thunderstruck

## Deaths

* January 3 — Gene Bartow, American college coach (Memphis State, UCLA, UAB), and member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (born 1930)
* January 5 — Alexander Sizonenko, Russian basketball player (born 1959)
* January 10 — Jack Heron, American college coach (Sacramento State) (born 1926)
* January 11 — Wally Osterkorn, NBA player (Syracuse Nationals) (born 1928)
* January 23 — Larry Striplin, American college coach (Belmont) (born 1929)
* January 28 — Joseph Curran, American college coach (Canisius) (born 1922)
* February 1 — Charlie Spoonhour, American college coach (Saint Louis and others) (born 1939)
* February 1 — Jerry Steiner, American National Basketball League player (Indianapolis Kautskys, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons) (born 1918)
* February 8 — Lew Hitch, NBA player (Minneapolis Lakers, Milwaukee Hawks) (born 1929)
* February 16 — Gene Vance, BAA/NBA player (Chicago Stags, Milwaukee Hawks) (born 1923)
* February 25 — Dick Davies, gold medal-winning player for Team USA at the 1964 Summer Olympics (born 1936)
* February 26 — Zollie Volchok, NBA Executive (Seattle SuperSonics) (born 1916)
* March 8 — Charlie Hoag, 1952 Olympic Gold Medal winner and National Champion at Kansas (born 1931)
* March 12 — Dick Harter, American coach (Charlotte Hornets, University of Oregon) (born 1930)
* March 16 — Ed Dahler, NBA player (Philadelphia Warriors) (born 1926)
* March 24 — Pete McCaffrey, gold medal-winning player for Team USA at the 1964 Summer Olympics (born 1938)
* April 11 — Tippy Dye, American college coach (Brown, Ohio State, Washington) (born 1915)
* April 11 — Bob Lewis, National champion at Utah (born 1925)
* April 15 — Dwayne Schintzius, NBA player (San Antonio Spurs, New Jersey Nets, among others) (born 1968)
* April 15 — Bob Wright, high school and college coach (Morehead State) (born 1926)
* April 30 — Andrew Levane, NBA player and coach (New York Knicks) (born 1920)
* April 30 — Frank Zummach, NBL coach (Sheboygan Red Skins) (born 1911)
* May 1 — Greg Jackson, NBA player (New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns) (born 1952)
* May 6 — Pat Frink, NBA player (Cincinnati Royals) (born 1945)
* May 13 — Nolan Richardson III, American college coach (Tennessee State) (born 1964)
* May 26 — Lou Watson, American college coach (Indiana) (born c. 1924)
* May 28 — Ed Burton, NBA player (New York Knicks, St. Louis Hawks) (born 1939)
* May 30 — Jack Twyman, Naismith Hall of Fame NBA player (Cincinnati Royals) (born 1934)
* May 31 — Orlando Woolridge, NBA player (Los Angeles Lakers, among others) (born 1959)
* June 2 — LeRoy Ellis, NBA player (Los Angeles Lakers, among others) (born 1940)
* June 4 — Jim Fitzgerald, NBA owner (Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors) (born 1926)
* June 7 — Chuck Share, NBA player (St. Louis Hawks, among others) (born 1927)
* June 7 — Mervin Jackson, ABA player (Utah Stars) (born 1946)
* June 8 — Pete Brennan, NBA player (New York Knicks) (born 1936)
* June 14 — Dick Acres, 78, American college coach (Oral Roberts).
* June 18 — Dennis Hamilton, NBA/ABA player (Los Angeles Lakers, among others) (born 1944)
* June 24 — Heino Kruus, Olympic Silver medalist for the Soviet Union in 1952. (born 1926)
* June 24 — Ted Luckenbill, NBA player (San Francisco Warriors). (born 1939)
* June 26 — Pat Cummings, NBA player (New York Knicks, Miami Heat). (born 1956)
* June 26 — Jack Hewson, BAA player (Boston Celtics). (born 1924)
* June 28 — Herb Scherer, NBA player (Tri-Cities Blackhawks, New York Knicks). (born 1929)
* July 9 — Kenny Heitz, three-time NCAA champion at UCLA. (born 1947)
* July 13 — Warren Jabali, ABA player (Oakland Oaks, among others). (born 1946)
* July 26 — Neil Reed, College player (Indiana, Southern Miss) (born 1975)
* August 2 — Ruy de Freitas, Olympic Bronze medalist for Brazil in 1948. (born 1916)
* August 3 — John Pritchard, NBA player (Waterloo Hawks) and Washington Generals player (born 1927)
* August 4 — Arnie Risen, Naismith Hall of Fame NBA player (Rochester Royals, Boston Celtics) (born 1924)
* August 6 — Dan Roundfield, ABA and NBA player (Atlanta Hawks, among others) (born 1953)
* August 17 — Pál Bogár, Hungarian Olympic player (born 1927)
* August 27 — Art Heyman, NBA and ABA player (New York Knicks, among others) (born 1941)
* September 21 — Ed Conlin, NBA player (Syracuse Nationals, Philadelphia Warriors, Detroit Pistons) (born 1933)
* September 29 — Bob Stevens, college coach (Oklahoma, South Carolina) (born 1924)
* October 8 — Donnie Butcher, NBA player (New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons) and coach (Detroit Pistons) (born 1936)
* October 9 — Kenny Rollins, NBA player, college national champion at Kentucky, Olympic gold medalist in 1948 (born 1923)
* October 12 — Ervin Kassai, Hungarian referee, FIBA Hall of Fame member (born 1925)
* October 18 — Slater Martin, Naismith Hall of Fame player, five-time NBA champion (Minneapolis Lakers, St. Louis Hawks) (born 1925)
* October 30 — Dan Tieman, NBA player (Cincinnati Royals) (born 1940)
* November 13 — Murray Arnold, college and professional coach (Chattanooga, Perth Wildcats) (born 1938)
* November 25 — Carlisle Towery, American National Basketball League player (Fort Wayne Pistons) (born 1920)
* December 1 — John Crigler, national championship college player at Kentucky (1958) (born 1936)
* December 1 — Rick Majerus, college coach (Saint Louis, Utah, Ball State, Marquette) (born 1948)
* December 4 — Ken Trickey, college coach (Middle Tennessee, Oral Roberts, Oklahoma City, Iowa State) (born 1933)
* December 7 — Nikola Ilić, Serbian player (born 1985)
* December 12 — Walt Kirk, American NBA player (Tri-Cities Blackhawks, among others) (born 1924)
* December 20 — Jerome Whitehead, American NBA player (San Diego Clippers, Golden State Warriors, among others) (born 1956)
* December 22 — Charles Cleveland, American college player (Alabama Crimson Tide) (born 1951)
* December 28 — Dan Kraus, American BAA player (Baltimore Bullets) (born 1923)
* December 28 — Fred Rehm, American NBL player (Oshkosh All-Stars), NCAA champion at Wisconsin (1941) (born 1921)
* December 29 — Erv Staggs, American ABA player (Miami Floridians) (born 1948)