2013 in basketball

The following are the basketball events of the year 2013 throughout the world.

Tournaments include international (FIBA), professional (club) and amateur and collegiate levels.

National tournaments

Youth tournaments

2014 FIBA Under-17 World championship qualifiers

11–15 June: 2013 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship for Men in Punta de Este, Uruguay:
28 June–7 July: 2013 FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship for Men in Antananarivo, Madagascar:
1. Angola
2. Egypt
8–18 August: 2013 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship for Men in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
1. France
2. Greece
3. Italy
4. Serbia
5. Spain
25 September–4 October: 2013 FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship for Men in Tehran, Iran:
1. China
2. Philippines
3. Japan
26–28 September: 2013 FIBA Oceania Under-16 Championship for Men in Melbourne, Australia:
1. Australia

2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship for Women qualifiers

19–23 June: 2013 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship for Women in Cancún, Mexico:
1. United States
2. Canada
3. Brazil
4. Mexico
1–11 August: 2013 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship for Women in Varna and Albena, Bulgaria:
1. Spain
2. Czech Republic
3. Hungary
4. Italy
5. France
26–28 September: 2013 FIBA Oceania Under-16 Championship for Women in Melbourne, Australia:
1. Australia
5–12 October: 2013 FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship for Women in Maputo, Mozambique:
1. Mali
2. Egypt
23–30 November: 2013 FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship for Women in Colombo, Sri Lanka:
1. China
2. Japan
3. South Korea

2013 FIBA Europe youth championships

8–18 August: U-16 European Championship Men Division A in Kyiv
8–18 August: U-16 European Championship Men Division B in Sarajevo
2–7 July: U-16 European Championship Men Division C in Gibraltar
18–28 July: U-18 European Championship Men Division A in Liepāja, Ventspils and Riga
18–28 July: U-18 European Championship Men Division B in Strumica
15–20 July: U-18 European Championship Men Division C in Andorra la Vella
9–21 July: U-20 European Championship Men Division A in Tallinn
12–21 July: U-20 European Championship Men Division B in Pitești
1–11 August: U-16 European Championship Women Division A in Varna and Albena
1–11 August: U-16 European Championship Women Division B in Matosinhos
2–7 July: U-16 European Championship Women Division C in Gibraltar
15–25 August: U-18 European Championship Women Division A in Vukovar and Vinkovci
15–25 August: U-18 European Championship Women Division B in Miskolc
15–20 July: U-18 European Championship Women Division C in Andorra la Vella
4–14 July: U-20 European Championship Women Division A in Samsun
4–14 July: U-20 European Championship Women Division B in Albena

Club championships

Continental championships

Men:

FIBA Intercontinental Cup:
- Olympiacos EC Pinheiros
Euroleague:
- Olympiacos Real Madrid CSKA Moscow
  - Euroleague MVP and Euroleague Final Four MVP: Vassilis Spanoulis, Olympiacos
  - Alphonso Ford Trophy (season's leading scorer): Bobby Brown, Montepaschi Siena
Eurocup:
- Lokomotiv-Kuban Uxue Bilbao Basket Budivelnyk Kyiv, Valencia
EuroChallenge:
- Krasnye Krylia Samara Pınar Karşıyaka EWE Baskets Oldenburg
FIBA Americas League:
- EC Pinheiros Lanús Capitanes de Arecibo
FIBA Asia Champions Cup:
- Foolad Mahan Isfahan Al Rayyan ASU

Women:

EuroLeague Women:
- UMMC Ekaterinburg Fenerbahçe Bourges Basket

Transnational championships

Men:

NBA
- Season:
  - Division champions: New York Knicks (Atlantic), Indiana Pacers (Central), Miami Heat (Southeast), Oklahoma City Thunder (Northwest), Los Angeles Clippers (Pacific), San Antonio Spurs (Southwest)
  - Best regular-season record: Miami Heat (66–16)
  - Eastern Conference: Miami Heat
  - Western Conference: San Antonio Spurs
- Finals: The Heat defend their title from last season, defeating the Spurs 4–3 in the best-of-7 series. LeBron James repeats as Finals MVP.
National Basketball League, 2012–13 season:
- Premiers: New Zealand Breakers
- Champions: The Breakers win their third straight championship, sweeping the Perth Wildcats 2–0 in the best-of-3 Grand Final.
Adriatic League, 2012–13: Partizan Belgrade defeat Red Star Belgrade 71–63 in the one-off final.
ASEAN Basketball League, 2013: San Miguel Beermen sweep the Indonesia Warriors 3–0 in the best-of-5 finals.
Balkan League, 2012–13: Hapoel Gilboa Galil defeat Levski Sofia 87-79 in the one-off final.
Baltic League: Ventspils defeat Prienai 161–150 on aggregate (91–69, 70–71) in the two-legged final.
Czech League: Nymburk sweep Prostějov 4–0 in the best-of-7 final. This is Nymburk's 10th straight league title.
VTB United League, 2012–13: CSKA Moscow defeat Lokomotiv-Kuban 3–1 in the best-of-5 final.

National championships

Liga Nacional de Básquet, 2012–13:
- Regular season championship Round: Regatas
- Playoffs: Regatas sweep the Lanús 4-0 in the best-of-7 final.
Austrian Bundesliga: BC Vienna defeat Oberwart Gunners 3–2 in the best-of-5 finals.
Belaruisan Premier League:BC Tsmoki-Minsk sweep BK Grodno-93 3–0 in the best-of-5 finals.
Basketball League Belgium, 2012–13: Telenet Oostende sweep Belfius Mons-Hainaut 3–0 in the best-of-5 finals.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Championship, 2012–13: KK Igokea defeat Široki WWin 3–2 in the best-of-5 finals.
Novo Basquete Brasil, 2012–13: Flamengo defeat Uberlândia 77–70 in the final.
Bulgarian National League: Lukoil Academic defeat Levski Sofia 3–2 in the best-of-5 final, claiming their 11th straight league title.
Chinese Basketball Association:
- Regular season: Guangdong Southern Tigers
- Playoffs: Guangdong Southern Tigers sweep the Shandong Lions 4–0 in the best-of-7 final.
Croatian League, 2012–13: Cibona sweep Zadar 3–0 in the best-of-5 final.
Dutch Basketball League, 2012–13: ZZ Leiden sweep Aris Leeuwarden 4–0 in the best-of-7 final.
Estonian League, 2012–13: Kalev/Cramo sweep TÜ/Rock 4–0 in the best-of-7 final.
French Pro A League, 2012–13: Nanterre defeat Strasbourg 3–1 in the best-of-5 final.
German Bundesliga, 2012–13: Brose Baskets sweep EWE Baskets Oldenburg 3–0 in the best-of-5 final, claiming their fourth consecutive title.
Greek League, 2012–13: Panathinaikos sweep Olympiacos 3–0 in the best-of-5 final.
National Basketball League (Indonesia), 2012–13: Dell Aspac defeat Pelita Jaya Esia 63-50 in the one-off final.
Iranian Super League, 2012–13: Petrochimi defeat Mahram 3-2 in the best-of-5 final.
Israeli Super League, 2012–13: Maccabi Haifa defeat Maccabi Tel Aviv 86–79 in the one-off final.
Italian Serie A, 2012–13: Montepaschi Siena defeat Acea Roma 4–1 in the best-of-7 final, claiming their seventh straight title.
Japan Basketball League, 2012–13: Toshiba Brave Thunders defeat the Aishin Sea Horses 3-2 in the best-of-5 final.
Korean Basketball League, 2012–13: Ulsan Mobis Phoebus sweep the Seoul SK Knights 4-0 in the best-of-7 final.
Latvian League, 2012–13: VEF Rīga defeat Ventspils 4–1 in the best-of-7 final.
Lithuanian LKL, 2012–13: Žalgiris sweep Lietuvos rytas 4–0 in the best-of-7 final.
Mexican League, 2012–13: Toros de Los Dos Laredos defeat Halcones UV Xalapa 4–2 in the best-of-7 final.
Montenegro League: Budućnost sweep the Sutjeska 3-0 in the best-of-5 final.
Philippine Basketball Association, 2012–13:
- Philippine Cup: The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters sweep the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 4–0 in the best-of-7 finals.
- Commissioner's Cup: The Alaska Aces sweep Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 3–0 in the best-of-5 finals.
- Governors' Cup: The San Mig Coffee Mixers defeat the Petron Blaze Boosters 4–3 in the best-of-7 finals.
Polish League, 2012–13: Stelemet Zielona Góra sweep PGE Turów 4–0 in the best-of-7 final.
Portuguese League: Benfica defeat Académica de Coimbra 3-1 in the best-of-5 final.
Divizia A: CSU Asesoft Ploiești defeat Mureș 4–2 in the best-of-7 final.
Russian PBL, 2012–13: CSKA Moscow (regular-season play only; no playoffs)
League of Serbia, 2012–13: Partizan Belgrade defeat Red Star Belgrade 3–1 in the best-of-5 final.
Slovenian League: Krka Novo Mesto defeat Union Olimpija Ljubljana i3–1 n the best-of-5 final.
Spanish ACB:
- Season: Real Madrid
- Playoffs: Real Madrid defeat FC Barcelona Regal 3–2 in the best-of-5 final.
Super Basketball League: Pure Youth defeat Dacin Tigers
Turkish League, 2012–13: Galatasaray Medical Park defeat Banvit 4–1 in the best-of-7 final.
Ukrainian SuperLeague, 2012–13: Budivelnyk Kyiv defeat Azovmash Mariupol 4–3 in the best-of-7 final.
British Basketball League, 2012–13:
- Season: Leicester Riders
- Playoffs: The Riders defeat the Newcastle Eagles 68–57 in the one-off final.

Women:

WNBA
- Season:
  - Eastern Conference: Atlanta Dream
  - Western Conference: Minnesota Lynx
- Finals: The Lynx sweep the Dream 3–0 in the best-of-5 series, claiming their second title in three years. Maya Moore of the Lynx in named Finals MVP.

College seasons: Men's Division

More information Nation, League / Tournament ...

Nation	League / Tournament	Champion	Result	Runner-up	Playoff format
United States	NCAA Division I	Louisville Cardinals	82–76	Michigan Wolverines	One-game playoff
	2013 National Invitation Tournament	Baylor Bears	74–54	Iowa Hawkeyes	One-game playoff
	2013 College Basketball Invitational	Santa Clara Broncos	2–1	George Mason Patriots	Best-of-3 series
	2013 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament	East Carolina Pirates	77–74	Weber State Wildcats	One-game playoff
	NCAA Division II	Drury University	74–73	Metro State
	NCAA Division III	Amherst College	87–70	Mary Hardin–Baylor
	NAIA Division I	Georgetown (KY)	88–62	SAGU (TX)
	NAIA Division II	Cardinal Stritch (WI)	73–59	William Penn (IA)
	NJCAA Division I	College of Central Florida	74–69	Northwest Florida State College
	NJCAA Division II	Rend Lake College	87–69	Moraine Valley Community College
	NJCAA Division III	Brookdale Community College	61–55	Eastfield College
Philippines	UAAP Season 76	De La Salle Green Archers	2–1	UST Growling Tigers	Best-of-3 series
	NCAA Season 89	San Beda Red Lions	2–1	Letran Knights
	Philippine Collegiate Champions League	De La Salle Green Archers	2–0	SWU Cobras

Close

Women

NCAA
- Division I: Connecticut 93, Louisville 60
  - Most Outstanding Player: Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
- WNIT: Drexel 46, Utah 43
- Women's Basketball Invitational: Detroit 73, McNeese State 62
- Division II: Ashland 71, Dowling 56
- Division III: DePauw 69, Wisconsin–Whitewater 51
NAIA
- NAIA Division I: Westmont College 71, Lee University 65
- NAIA Division II: Indiana Wesleyan 61, Davenport 43
NJCAA
- Division I: Trinity Valley 83, Central Arizona 71
- Division II: Louisburg 75, Mesa 65
- Division III: Rock Valley 78, Mohawk Valley 60
UAAP Women's: La Salle defeated NU 2–1 in the best-of-3 finals.

Prep

USA Today Boys Basketball Ranking #1:
USA Today Girls Basketball Ranking #1:
NCAA (Philippines) Juniors: San Beda defeated LSGH in 2 games in the finals en route to winning all 20 games of the season.
UAAP Juniors: NU defeated Ateneo in 2 games in the finals en route to winning all 18 games of the season.

Awards and honors

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Class of 2013:^[1]
- Players: Roger Brown, Richie Guerin, Bernard King, Gary Payton, Oscar Schmidt, Dawn Staley
- Coaches: Sylvia Hatchell, Guy Lewis, Rick Pitino, Jerry Tarkanian
- Contributors: Russ Granik, Edwin Bancroft Henderson

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Class of 2012^[2]

FIBA Hall of Fame

Class of 2013:
- Players:^[3] Jean-Jacques Conceiçao, Teresa Edwards, Andrew Gaze, Paula Gonçalves, David Robinson, Zoran Slavnić
- Coaches:^[4] Jack Donohue, Cesare Rubini, Pat Summitt
- Technical officials:^[5] Valentin Lazarov, Costas Rigas
- Contributors:^[6] Aldo Vitale

Professional

Men
- NBA Most Valuable Player Award: LeBron James, Miami Heat
- NBA Rookie of the Year Award: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award: Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award: J. R. Smith, New York Knicks
- NBA Most Improved Player Award: Paul George, Indiana Pacers
- NBA Sportsmanship Award: Jason Kidd, New York Knicks
- NBA Coach of the Year Award: George Karl, Denver Nuggets
- J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
- Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year Award: Chauncey Billups, Los Angeles Clippers
- NBA Executive of the Year Award: Masai Ujiri, Denver Nuggets
- FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award:
- Euroscar Award:
- Mr. Europa:
Women
- WNBA Most Valuable Player Award: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
- WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
- WNBA Rookie of the Year Award: Elena Delle Donne, Chicago Sky
- WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Award: Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Sky
- WNBA Most Improved Player Award: Shavonte Zellous, Indiana Fever
- Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Swin Cash, Chicago Sky & Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
- WNBA Coach of the Year Award: Mike Thibault, Washington Mystics
- WNBA All-Star Game MVP: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
- FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award
- WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award: Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx

Collegiate

Combined
- Legends of Coaching Award: Bill Self, Kansas
Men
- John R. Wooden Award: Trey Burke, Michigan
- Naismith College Coach of the Year: Jim Larrañaga, Miami (FL)
- Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award: Peyton Siva, Louisville
- Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year: Trey Burke, Michigan
- NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player: Shabazz Napier, Connecticut
- USBWA National Freshman of the Year: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
- Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year: Jim Larrañaga, Miami
- Naismith Outstanding Contribution to Basketball: Lute Olson
Women
- John R. Wooden Award: Brittney Griner, Baylor
- Naismith College Player of the Year: Brittney Griner, Baylor
- Naismith College Coach of the Year: Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame
- Wade Trophy: Brittney Griner, Baylor
- Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award: Alex Bentley, Penn State
- Associated Press Women's College Basketball Player of the Year: Brittney Griner, Baylor
- NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player: Breanna Stewart, UConn
- Basketball Academic All-America Team: Elena Delle Donne, Delaware
- Kay Yow Award: Sue Semrau, Florida State
- Carol Eckman Award: Jan Ross, Oklahoma
- Maggie Dixon Award: Holly Warlick, Tennessee
- USBWA National Freshman of the Year: Jewell Loyd, Notre Dame
- Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year: Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame
- List of Senior CLASS Award women's basketball winners: Elena Delle Donne, Delaware
- Nancy Lieberman Award: Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame
- Naismith Outstanding Contribution to Basketball: Pat Summitt

Events

January 21 – The Maloof family announces that it has reached an agreement to sell the Sacramento Kings to a Seattle-based group led by Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer that plans to move the team to Seattle for the 2013–14 season and resurrect the SuperSonics name.^[7]
April 15 – The 2013 WNBA draft is held at the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut, with Baylor center Brittney Griner chosen first overall.^[8]
April 29 – After Sacramento mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson recruits an ownership group to make a counter-offer to keep the Kings in Sacramento, a league committee unanimously recommends that owners reject the Seattle group's deal.^[9]
May 31 – The sale of the Kings to the Sacramento-based group led by Vivek Ranadive is closed.^[10]
June 27 – The 2013 NBA draft is held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with Anthony Bennett, a power forward from UNLV, becoming the first Canadian to be chosen as the first overall pick.^[11]
December 6 – In the highest-scoring game in NCAA Division I women's history, Kentucky defeats Baylor 133–130 in four overtimes. The game, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was the front end of a doubleheader that included the two schools' men's teams.^[12]

Movies

Deaths

January 7 — Gonzalo Puyat II, former president of FIBA (born 1934)^[13]
January 10 — Jay Handlan, College All-American (Washington and Lee) and AAU player (born 1928)
January 12 — Chuck Dalton, Canadian Olympic player (1952) (born 1927)
January 15 — George Gund III, NBA owner (Cleveland Cavaliers) (born 1937)
January 16 — Wayne D. Anderson, American college coach (Idaho) (born 1930)
January 19 — Jim Marking, American college coach (South Dakota State) (born 1927)
January 24 — Jim Line, two-time NCAA championship player at Kentucky (1948, 1949) (born 1926)
January 31 — Larry Killick, 10th overall selection in the 1947 BAA draft (born 1922)
February 3 — B. H. Born, 1953 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (Kansas), AAU player (born 1932)
February 7 — Howard Lassoff, American player (Maccabi Tel Aviv) (born 1955)
February 11 — Jim Boatwright, American player (Maccabi Tel Aviv) (born 1951)
February 11 — Matthew White, American player known for his collegiate career (University of Pennsylvania) (born 1957)
February 13 — Harry Miller, 86, American college coach (Fresno State, Eastern New Mexico, Wichita State, Stephen F. Austin).^[14]
February 13 — Tibor Zsíros, Hungarian Olympic player (1948, 1952) (born 1930)
February 17 — Phil Henderson, three-time Final Four player at Duke (born 1968)
February 18 — Jerry Buss, Los Angeles Lakers owner and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (born 1933)
March 2 — Giorgos Kolokithas, Greek player (Panathinaikos B.C.) (born 1945)
March 3 — Bart Quinn, American NBL player (Fort Wayne General Electrics) (born 1917)
March 3 — George Wearring, Canadian Olympic player (1952) (born 1928)
March 4 — Chick Halbert, American BBA player (born 1919)
March 5 — Calvin Fowler, ABA player (Carolina Cougars) and 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist (born 1940)
March 7 — Harold Hunter, College coach (NC Central), first African-American to sign an NBA contract (born 1926)
March 8 — Mickey Marty, 91, All-American college player (Loras).^[15]
March 14 — Jack Curran, American high school coach (Archbishop Molloy High School) (born 1930)
March 22 — Ray Williams, NBA player (New York Knicks, among others) (born 1954)
March 26 — Tom Boerwinkle, NBA player (Chicago Bulls) (born 1945)
March 30 — Bob Nichols, 82, American college coach (Toledo).^[16]
March 30 — Bobby Parks, American player (San Miguel, Shell, Aspac Jakarta) (born 1962)
April 1 — Greg Willard, NBA referee (born 1958)
April 7 — Marty Blake, NBA GM (Atlanta Hawks and scout (born 1927)
April 12 — Marv Harshman, Naismith Hall of Fame college coach (Washington State, Washington) (born 1917)
April 24 — Murray Satterfield, 87, American college coach (Boise State, College of Idaho)^[17]
May 5 — Jack Turner, NBA player (Chicago Packers) (born 1939)
May 16 — Carl Bennett, NBA coach and GM (Fort Wayne Pistons) (born 1915)
May 23 — Flynn Robinson, NBA player (born 1941)
May 29 — Cliff Meely, NBA player (Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers) (born 1947)
June 4 — Monti Davis, NBA player (Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks) (born 1958)
June 7 — Charlie Coles, College coach (Central Michigan, Miami of Ohio) (born 1942)
June 19 — Ólafur Rafnsson, Icelandic president of FIBA Europe (born 1963)
July 6 — Rudy Keeling, College coach (Maine, Northeastern) (born 1947)
July 6 — Leland Mitchell, ABA player (New Orleans Buccaneers) (born 1941)
July 14 — Simmie Hill, ABA player (born 1946)
July 23 — Red McManus, college coach (Creighton) (born 1925)
July 30 — Ossie Schectman, BAA player (New York Knicks) (born 1919)
August 2 — George Hauptfuhrer, third overall pick in the 1948 BAA draft (born 1926)
August 5 — Roy Rubin, NBA (Philadelphia 76ers) and college (Long Island) coach (born 1925)
August 14 — Jack Garfinkel, BAA player (Boston Celtics) (born 1918)
August 17 — Devin Gray, NBA player (Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets) (born 1972)
August 23 — Dean Meminger, NBA player (New York Knicks) (born 1948)
August 30 — Howie Crittenden, college (Murray State) and AAU (Peoria Cats) player (born 1933)
September 3 — Don Meineke, NBA player (Fort Wayne Pistons, Cincinnati Royals) (born 1930)
September 7 — Zelmo Beaty, NBA/ABA player (St. Louis Hawks, Utah Stars, Los Angeles Lakers) (born 1939)
September 16 — Jim Palmer, NBA player (Cincinnati Royals, New York Knicks) (born 1933)
September 17 — Dick O'Neal, All-American college player (TCU) (born 1935)
September 29 — Bob Kurland, Hall of Fame college (Oklahoma State) and AAU (Phillips 66ers) player (born 1924)
October 3 — Sergei Belov, Russian Olympic gold medalist (1972) (born 1944)
October 13 — Joe Meriweather, NBA player (Kansas City Kings, among others) (born 1953)
October 23 — Wes Bialosuknia, ABA player (Oakland Oaks) (born 1945)
October 25 — Bill Sharman, Hall of Fame player and coach (born 1926)
October 25 — Chico Vaughn, NBA and ABA player (St. Louis Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Pittsburgh Pipers) (born 1940)
November 2 — Walt Bellamy, Hall of Fame player and 1960 Olympic Gold medalist (born 1939)
November 7 — Ian Davies, Australian player (Sydney Kings) and Olympian (born 1956)
November 7 — Lenny Rzeszewski, American college basketball player (Indiana State) (born 1923)
November 17 — Joe Dean, Collegiate basketball Hall of Fame player, administrator (LSU) (born 1930)
November 21 — Vern Mikkelsen, Hall of Fame player (Minneapolis Lakers) (born 1928)
November 29 — Valdis Muižnieks, Latvian player who won three Olympic silver medals as a part of the Soviet Union national team (born 1935)
December 6 — M. K. Turk, college coach (Southern Miss) (born 1942)
December 15 — Dyron Nix, NBA player (Indiana Pacers) (born 1967)
December 18 — Harry Boland, Irish Olympic player (born 1925)
December 29 — Connie Dierking, NBA player (Cincinnati Royals, Philadelphia 76ers) (born 1936)
December 29 — Khushi Ram, Indian player (born 1936)
December 31 — Johnny Orr, NBA player and college coach (Michigan, Iowa State) (born 1927)
December 31 — Art Stolkey, BAA player (Detroit Falcons) (born 1920)