# 2017 in basketball

The following are the basketball events of the year 2017 throughout the world.
The following are the basketball events that took place in 2017 throughout the world.
Tournaments include international (FIBA), professional (club) and amateur and collegiate levels.

## National team tournaments
### FIBA continental cups

Men:
Women:

### Other national team championships

In SABA and SEABA Championships, only the champion team will be able qualify to FIBA Asia Cup. Those teams winning the tournament are shown in bold text. Men:
* 2017 EABA Championship in Tokyo:
** Chinese Taipei
** South Korea
** Japan
* 2017 Island Games at Gotland:
** Cayman Islands
** Gibraltar
** Saare County (Saaremaa)
* 2017 SABA Championship at Malé:
** India
** Bangladesh
** Sri Lanka
* 2017 SEABA Championship in Quezon City:
** Philippines
** Indonesia
** Thailand
* 2017 Southeast Asian Games at Kuala Lumpur:
** Philippines
** Indonesia
** Thailand
* 2017 WABA Championship in Amman:
** Lebanon
** Iran
** Jordan
* 2017 FIBA 3x3 World Cup at Nantes:
** Serbia
** Netherlands
** France
* 2017 William Jones Cup in Taipei:
** Team Canada 150
** Atletas All-Star Lithuania
** South Korea
* 2017 Games of the Small States of Europe at San Marino:
** Cyprus
** Montenegro
** Iceland
Women:
* 2017 Island Games at Gotland:
** Menorca (Menorca)
** Gotland (Gotland)
** Guernsey (GGY)
* 2017 Southeast Asian Games at Kuala Lumpur:
** Malaysia
** Thailand
** Indonesia
* 2017 William Jones Cup in Taipei:
** Japan U24
** Chinese Taipei Blue
** New Zealand
* 2017 Games of the Small States of Europe at San Marino:
** Malta
** Iceland
** Luxembourg

### FIBA youth championships

Men:
* 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Cairo:
** Canada
** Italy
** United States
* 2017 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship in Bratislava:
** Serbia
** Spain
** Lithuania
* 2017 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship in Crete:
** Greece
** Israel
** France
Women:
* 2017 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Italy:
** Russia
** United States
** Canada

### Other FIBA-sanctioned youth tournaments

Team in bold wins the championship while in italic is the team who qualify for the continental Championship they belong to.
Men's Division:
* 2017 SEABA Under-16 Championship in Quezon City:
** Philippines
** Malaysia
** Thailand

## Professional club seasons
### FIBA Intercontinental Cup

| Tournament | Champion | Runner-up | Result | Playoff format |
| 2017 FIBA Intercontinental Cup | Iberostar Tenerife | Guaros de Lara | 76–71 | One-game playoff |

### Continental seasons
#### Men

| Organizer | Tournament | Champion | Runner-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Euroleague Basketball | 2016–17 EuroLeague | Fenerbahçe | Olympiacos | 80–64 | One-game playoff |
| Euroleague Basketball | 2016–17 EuroCup Basketball | Unicaja | Valencia Basket | 2–1 | Best-of-3 series |
| FIBA Africa | 2017 FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup | AS Salé | Étoile Sportive de Radès | 77–69 | One-game playoff |
| FIBA Americas | 2017 FIBA Americas League | Guaros de Lara | Weber Bahía Basket | 88–65 | One-game playoff |
| FIBA Asia | 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup | Al-Riyadi Beirut | China Kashgar | 88–59 | One-game playoff |
| FIBA Europe | 2016–17 Basketball Champions League | Iberostar Tenerife | Banvit | 63–59 | One-game playoff |
| FIBA Europe | 2016–17 FIBA Europe Cup | Nanterre 92 | Élan Chalon | 140–137 | Two-legged tie |

#### Women

| Organizer | Tournament | Champion | Runner-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Euroleague Basketball | 2016–17 EuroLeague Women | Dynamo Kursk | Fenerbahçe | 77–63 | One-game playoff |
| Euroleague Basketball | 2016–17 EuroCup Women | Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi | Bellona AGÜ | 136–127 | Two-legged tie |

### Regional seasons
#### Men

| Region | Tournament | Champion | Runner-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Former Yugoslavia | 2016–17 ABA League | Crvena zvezda mts | Cedevita | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Southeast Asia | 2016–17 ABL season | Eastern Sports Club | Singapore Slingers | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Alpe-Adria | 2016–17 Alpe Adria Cup | Rieker Komárno | Helios Suns | 160–139 | Two-legged tie |
| Baltic states | 2016–17 Baltic Basketball League | Vytautas | Pieno žvaigždės | 174–162 | Two-legged tie |
| Balkans | 2016–17 BIBL | Beroe | Kumanovo | 161–128 | Two-legged tie |

#### Women

| Region | Tournament | Champion | Runner-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Balkans | 2016–17 WABA League | Athlete Celje | Beroe | 61–57 | One-game playoff |

### Domestic league seasons
#### Men

| Nation | League | Champion | Runner-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Albania | 2016–17 Albanian Basketball League | PBC Tirana | BC Vllaznia | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Angola | 2016–17 BIC Basket | Rec do Libolo | Petro Atlético | 4–0 | Best-of-7 series |
| Argentina | 2016–17 Liga Nacional de Básquet season | San Lorenzo | Regatas Corrientes | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Austria | 2016–17 Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga | Kapfenberg Bulls | Oberwart Gunners | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Australia | 2016–17 NBL season | Perth Wildcats | Illawarra Hawks | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Belarus | 2016–17 Belarusian Premier League | Tsmoki Minsk | Grodno 93 | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Belgium | 2016–17 Belgian Basketball League | Telenet Oostende | Basic-Fit Brussels | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Belgium | 2016–17 Belgian Basketball Cup | Telenet Oostende | Limburg United | 76–60 | Single-game final |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2016–17 Basketball Championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina | KK Igokea | KK Bosna Royal | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Brazil | 2016–17 NBB season | Bauru Basket | Paulistano | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Bulgaria | 2016–17 National Basketball League | Lukoil Academic | BC Beroe | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Bulgaria | 2017 Bulgarian Basketball Cup | Beroe | Lukoil Academic | 78–62 | Single-game final |
| Canada | 2016–17 NBL Canada season | London Lightning | Halifax Hurricanes | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| China | 2016–17 CBA season | Xinjiang Flying Tigers | Guangdong Southern Tigers | 4–0 | Best-of-7 series |
| Croatia | 2016–17 A-1 League | Cedevita | Cibona | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Cyprus | 2016–17 Cyprus Basketball Division A | Keravnos | AEK Larnaca | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Czech Republic | 2015–16 National Basketball League | CEZ Nymburk | BK Decin | 152–137 | Two-legged tie |
| Denmark | 2016–17 Basketligaen | Bakken Bears | Horsens IC | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Estonia | 2016–17 KML season | Kalev/Cramo | AVIS UTILITAS Rapla | 4–0 | Best-of-7 series |
| Finland | 2016–17 Korisliiga season | Kataja Basket | Salon Vilpas | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| France | 2016–17 Pro A season | Élan Chalon | SIG Strasbourg | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| France | 2016–17 French Basketball Cup | Nanterre 92 | Le Mans | 96–79 | Single-game final |
| France | 2017 Leaders Cup | AS Monaco | ASVEL | 95–91 | Single-game final |
| Georgia | 2016–17 Georgian Superliga | Dinamo | Kutaisi | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Germany | 2016–17 Basketball Bundesliga | Brose Bamberg | EWE Baskets Oldenburg | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Germany | 2017 BBL-Pokal | Brose Bamberg | Bayern Munich | 74–71 | Single-game final |
| Great Britain | 2016–17 British Basketball League season | Leicester Riders | Newcastle Eagles | 84–63 | Single-game final |
| Greece | 2016–17 Greek Basket League | Panathinaikos Superfoods | Olympiacos | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Greece | 2016–17 Greek Basketball Cup | Panathinaikos Superfoods | Aris | 68–59 | Single-game final |
| Hungary | 2016–17 Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A | Alba Fehérvár | Falco KC Szombathely | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Hungary | 2017 Magyar Kupa | Alba Fehérvár | Szolnoki Olaj KK | 59–58 | Single-game final |
| Iceland | 2016–17 Úrvalsdeild karla | KR | Grindavík | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Indonesia | 2017 IBL Indonesia | Pelita Jaya Energi Mega Persada | Satria Muda Pertamina Jakarta | 2–1 | Best-of-3 series |
| Ireland | 2016–17 Irish Premier League season | Tralee Warriors | Templeogue | 74–73 | Single-game final |
| Israel | 2016–17 Israeli Basketball Super League | Hapoel Jerusalem | Maccabi Hunter Haifa | 83–76 | Single-game final |
| Israel | 2016–17 Israeli Basketball State Cup | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Hapoel Jerusalem | 82–68 | Single-game final |
| Italy | 2016–17 Lega Basket Serie A | Umana Reyer Venezia | Dolomiti Energia Trento | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| Italy | 2017 Italian Basketball Cup | EA7 Emporio Armani Milano | Banco di Sardegna Sassari | 84–74 | Single-game final |
| Japan | 2016–17 B.League season | Link Tochigi Brex | Toshiba Kawasaki Brave Thunders | 85–79 | Single-game final |
| Kosovo | 2016–17 Kosovo Basketball Superleague | Sigal Prishtina | Bashkimi | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Latvia | 2016–17 Latvian Basketball League | VEF Rīga | BK Ventspils | 4–0 | Best-of-7 series |
| Lithuania | 2016–17 LKL season | Žalgiris | Lietkabelis | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Lithuania | 2017 Karaliaus Mindaugo taurė | Žalgiris | Lietkabelis | 84–63 | Single-game final |
| North Macedonia | 2016–17 Macedonian First League | MZT Skopje | Karpoš Sokoli | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Mexico | 2016–17 LNBP season | Fuerza Regia | Soles | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| Montenegro | 2016–17 Prva A liga | Budućnost VOLI | Mornar | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| Netherlands | 2016–17 Dutch Basketball League | Donar Groningen | Landstede Zwolle | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Netherlands | 2016–17 NBB Cup | Donar Groningen | Landstede Zwolle | 78–58 | Single-game final |
| New Zealand | 2017 New Zealand NBL season | Wellington Saints | Southland Sharks | 108–75 | Single-game final |
| Philippines | 2016–17 PBA Philippine Cup | San Miguel Beermen | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Philippines | 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup | San Miguel Beermen | TNT KaTropa | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| Philippines | 2017 PBA Governors' Cup | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel | Meralco Bolts | 4–3 | Best-of-7 series |
| Philippines | 2017 PBA D-League Aspirant's Cup | Cignal-San Beda Hawkeyes | Racal Ceramica | 2–1 | Best-of-3 series |
| Puerto Rico | 2017 BSN season | Piratas de Quebradillas | Capitanes de Arecibo | 4–3 | Best-of-7 series |
| Poland | 2016–17 PLK season | Stelmet Zielona Góra | Polski Cukier Toruń | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Portugal | 2016–17 LPB season | Benfica | Porto | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Romania | 2016–17 Liga Națională | U-Banca Transilvania | Steaua CSM EximBank | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Russia | 2016–17 VTB United League | CSKA Moscow | Khimki | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Serbia | 2016–17 Basketball League of Serbia | Crvena zvezda mts | FMP | 3–0 | Best-of-5 series |
| Serbia | 2016–17 Radivoj Korać Cup | Crvena zvezda mts | Partizan NIS | 74–64 | Single-game final |
| Slovakia | 2016–17 Slovak Extraliga | Inter Bratislava | Rieker Com Therm Komárno | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Slovenia | 2016–17 Slovenian Basketball League | Union Olimpija | Rogaška | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Spain | 2016–17 ACB season | Valencia | Real Madrid | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Spain | 2017 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto | Real Madrid | Valencia Basket | 97–95 | Single-game final |
| Sweden | 2016–17 Basketligan season | Luleå | Södertälje Kings | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series |
| Switzerland | 2016–17 Championnat LNA season | Monthey | Lions de Genève | 4–2 | Best-of-7 series |
| Turkey | 2016–17 Basketbol Süper Ligi | Fenerbahçe | Beşiktaş Sompo Japan | 4–0 | Best-of-7 series |
| Turkey | 2017 Turkish Cup Basketball | Banvit | Anadolu Efes | 75–66 | Single-game final |
| Ukraine | 2016–17 Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague | Budivelnyk | BC Khimik | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Vietnam | 2017 VBA season | Thang Long Warriors | Cantho Catfish | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| United States | 2016–17 NBA season | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | 4–1 | Best-of-7 series} |
| United States | 2017 NBA Summer League | Los Angeles Lakers | Portland Trail Blazers | 110–98 | Single-game final |
| United States | 2016–17 NBA Development League season | Raptors 905 | Rio Grande Valley Vipers | 2–1 | Best-of-3 series |
* ↑ Includes one team from New Zealand.
* ↑ Includes one team from Monaco.
* ↑ Includes one team each from Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan and Latvia. The highest ranking team from Russia is also named as Russian champions.
* ↑ Includes one team from Andorra.
* ↑ Includes one team from Canada.

#### Women

| Nation | League | Champion | Runner-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Australia | 2016–17 WNBL season | Sydney Uni Flames | Dandenong Rangers | 2–0 | Best-of-3 series |
| Hungary | 2016–17 Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A | UNIQA Sopron | Atomerőmű KSC Szekszárd | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Iceland | 2016–17 Úrvalsdeild kvenna | Keflavík | Snæfell | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Iceland | 2016–17 Icelandic Women's Basketball Cup | Keflavík | Skallagrímur | 65–62 | One-game playoff |
| Romania | 2016–17 Liga Națională | Sepsi SIC | Universitatea Cluj | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Serbia | 2016–17 First Women's Basketball League of Serbia | Crvena zvezda | Radivoj Korać | 3–1 | Best-of-5 series |
| Spain | 2016–17 Liga Femenina de Baloncesto | Perfumerías Avenida | Spar CityLift Girona | 2–1 | Best-of-3 series |
| Turkey | 2016–17 Turkish Women's Basketball League | Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi | Fenerbahçe | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |
| United Kingdom | 2016–17 Women's British Basketball League season | | | | |
| United States | 2017 WNBA season | Minnesota Lynx | Los Angeles Sparks | 3–2 | Best-of-5 series |

## College seasons

| Nation | League / Tournament | Champions | Runners-up | Result | Playoff format |
| Canada | 2017 U Sports Men's Basketball Championship | Carleton Ravens | Ryerson Rams | 78–69 | Single-game final |
| Philippines | NCAA Season 93 | San Beda Red Lions | Lyceum Pirates | 2–0 | Best-of-three series |
| Philippines | UAAP Season 80 | Ateneo Blue Eagles | De La Salle Green Archers | 2–1 | Best-of-three series |
| United States | NCAA Division I | North Carolina Tar Heels | Gonzaga Bulldogs | 71–65 | Single-game final |
| United States | 2017 National Invitation Tournament | TCU Horned Frogs | Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | 88–56 | Single-game final |
| United States | NCAA Division II | NW Missouri State Bearcats | Fairmont State Falcons | 71–61 | Single-game final |
| United States | NCAA Division III | Babson Beavers | Augustana (IL) Vikings | 79–78 | Single-game final |

## Headlines

* December 19 – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announces significant changes to its enshrinement process.
** Effective immediately, players, coaches, and referees will now be eligible for induction after three full seasons of retirement.
** Effective with the induction class of 2020, active coaches must have served in that role for 25 years and be at least age 60.

## Deaths

* January 23 — Earl Foreman, American ABA owner (Virginia Squires) (born 1924)
* January 26 — Mario Quintero, Cuban Olympic player (1948, 1952) (born 1924)
* January 27 — Charles Shackleford, American NBA player (New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers) (born 1966)
* January 31 — Bobby Watson, American NBA player (Minneapolis Lakers, Milwaukee Hawks) and college national champion at Kentucky (1951) (born 1930)
* February 11 — Fab Melo, Brazilian NBA player (Boston Celtics) (born 1990)
* February 19 — Dean Ehlers, American college coach (Memphis, James Madison) (born 1929)
* February 25 — Neil Fingleton, British player (CB Illescas) (born 1980)
* March 6 – Bill Hougland, American player (Phillips 66ers) and Olympic champion (1952, 1956) (born 1930)
* March 10 – Ben Jobe, American college coach (Southern, South Carolina State, Alabama A&M) (born 1933)
* March 13 – John Andariese, American college and NBA announcer (New York Knicks) (born 1938)
* March 15 – Dave Stallworth, American NBA player (New York Knicks, Baltimore Bullets) (born 1941)
* March 15 – Chris Williams, American player (Sydney Kings, Skyliners Frankfurt, Qingdao DoubleStar) (born 1980)
* March 18 – Gerry Gimelstob, American college coach (George Washington) (born 1951)
* March 20 – David Lawrence, American player (McNeese State, Pallacanestro Trieste, Saski Baskonia) (born 1959)
* March 21 – Jerry Krause, American NBA executive (Chicago Bulls) (born 1939)
* March 29 – Wayne Duke, Hall of Fame college administrator (Big Eight Conference, Big Ten Conference) (born 1928)
* April 20 – Skeeter Swift, American ABA player (New Orleans Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Condors, San Antonio Spurs) and college coach (Liberty) (born 1946)
* April 22 – Jess Kersey, American NBA referee (born 1941)
* April 23 – Ken Sears, American NBA player (New York Knicks, San Francisco Warriors) (born 1933)
* May 2 – Toby Kimball, American NBA player (born 1942)
* May 4 – Jay Carty, American NBA player (Los Angeles Lakers) (born 1941)
* May 8 – Chuck Orsborn, American college coach (Bradley) (born 1917)
* May 8 – George Irvine, American ABA player (Virginia Squires, Denver Nuggets) and NBA coach (Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons) (born 1948)
* May 13 – Ron Bontemps, American Olympic player (1952) (born 1926)
* May 14 – Frank Brian, American NBA player (Anderson Packers, Tri-Cities Blackhawks, Fort Wayne Pistons) (born 1923)
* May 27 – Robert Curtis, American NBL Canada player (Saint John Mill Rats) (born 1990)
* May 31 – Ramon Campos Jr., Filipino Olympic player (1948, 1952, 1956) (born 1925)
* June 1 – Jack McCloskey, American NBA player (Philadelphia Warriors) and coach (Portland Trail Blazers) and college coach (Penn, Wake Forest) (born 1925)
* June 10 – Mihai Nedef, Romanian Olympic player (1952) (born 1931)
* June 17 – Omar Monza, Argentine Olympic player (1952) (born 1929)
* June 30 – Darrall Imhoff, American college All-American (California), NBA player and Olympic Gold medalist (1960) (born 1938)
* July 4 – Gene Conley, American NBA player (Boston Celtics, New York Knicks) (born 1930)
* July 6 – Les Habegger, 92, American college (Seattle Pacific) and NBA coach (Seattle SuperSonics).
* July 11 – Bill Chambers, American college player and coach (William & Mary) (born 1930)
* July 14 – Ross Giudice, American college coach (San Francisco) (born 1924)
* July 15 – Bob Wolff, American announcer (New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons) (born 1920)
* July 16 – Jerry Bird, American NBA player (New York Knicks) (born 1934)
* July 23 – John Kundla, American Hall of Fame coach (Minneapolis Lakers, Minnesota Golden Gophers) (born 1916)
* August 3 – Dickie Hemric, American NBA player (Boston Celtics) (born 1933)
* August 13 – Nick Mantis, American NBA player (Minneapolis Lakers, St. Louis Hawks, Chicago Zephyrs) (born 1935)
* August 16 – Tom Hawkins, American NBA player (Los Angeles Lakers, Cincinnati Royals) (born 1936)
* August 26 – Adam Wójcik, Polish player (Śląsk Wrocław, Prokom Sopot, Turów Zgorzelec) (born 1970)
* August 28 – Jud Heathcote, American college coach (Montana, Michigan State) (born 1927)
* August 30 – Rollie Massimino, American college coach (Villanova, UNLV, Cleveland State) (born 1934)
* September 6 — Jim McDaniels, American NBA (Seattle SuperSonics, Los Angeles Lakers, Buffalo Braves) and ABA (Carolina Cougars, Kentucky Colonels) player. (born 1948)
* September 17 — Cris Bolado, Filipino player (Alaska Aces, Star Hotshots, San Miguel Beermen) (born 1969)
* September 21 – Glen Whisby, 44, American player
* September 23 — Loreto Carbonell, Filipino Olympic player (1956) (born 1933)
* September 30 — Frank Hamblen, American NBA coach (Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers) (born 1947)
* October 1 — Dave Strader, American college announcer (born 1955)
* October 6 — Connie Hawkins, American Hall of Fame Harlem Globetrotters, ABA and NBA player (Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers) (born 1942)
* October 16 — Kevin Cadle, American basketball coach (Kingston Kings, British national team) and NBA announcer (born 1955)
* October 19 — Dick DiBiaso, 76, American college coach (Stanford).
* October 20 — Justin Reed, American NBA player (Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves) (born 1982)
* October 30 — János Halász, Hungarian Olympic player (1948) (born 1929)
* October 31 — Red Murrell, American college (Drake) and AAU (Phillips 66ers) player (born 1933)
* November 3 — Sid Catlett, American player (Cincinnati Royals) (born 1948)
* November 5 — Don Eddy, American college coach (Eastern Illinois, UTSA) (born 1935)
* November 13 — Jeff Capel II, American college coach (Fayetteville State, North Carolina A&T, Old Dominion) (born 1953)
* November 17 — Aleksandr Salnikov, Ukrainian Olympic player (1976, 1980) (born 1949)
* November 19 — Luther Rackley, American NBA and ABA player (born 1946)
* November 19 — Elias Tolentino, Filipino Olympic player (1968) (born 1942)
* November 25 — Steve "Snapper" Jones, American ABA and NBA player and NBA announcer (born 1942)
* December 1 — Perry Wallace, American college player (Vanderbilt) and first African-American player in the Southeastern Conference (born 1948)
* December 4 — Armenak Alachachian, Armenian Olympic Silver Medalist (1964) (born 1930)
* December 6 — George E. Killian, American administrator. President of FIBA and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (born 1924)
* December 7 — Roland Taylor, American ABA/NBA player (Virginia Squires, Denver Nuggets) (born 1946)
* December 11 — Birgir Örn Birgis, Icelandic national team player and coach (born 1942)
* December 21 — Dick Enberg, college announcer (UCLA) (born 1935)
* December 25 – Michael Britt, 57, American college player (District of Columbia).
* December 26 — Orsten Artis, American college player (UTEP), NCAA champion (1966) (born 1943)