Italian basketball legend Dino Meneghin was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame at the game’s birthplace in Springfield, Massachusetts last night.

Meneghin’s career spanned 3 decades after his debut for the national team in 1966 at age 16. He went on to play 271 times for the for Italy (2nd all-time), including 4 Olympic Games (1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984), 2 World Championships (1970 and 1978) and 8 European Championships (1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981 and 1983). His medal haul includes Olympic silver (1980), European gold (1983) and 2 European bronze (1971 and 1975).

On the club level Meneghin split his career between Varese and Milan. With Varese he was part of a extraordinary era which saw the club reach the final of the European Cup for Men’s Champion Clubs 10 years running (1970 – 1980), winning 5 titles. He also collected 7 Italian League titles and 4 cups.

After Varese, Meneghin joined up with Milan where he added to his remarkable trophy collection. He won a further 2 European Cup for Men’s Champion Clubs titles, 5 Italian League Championships and 2 cups.

		Dino Meneghin and Italian Federation President Fausto Maifredi

“Dino Meneghin is a legend, not just in Italy but in Europe,” said Italian Coach Carlo Recalcalti. “When he goes to Tel Aviv, people know who he is and even in China he is recognised.

I had the chance to play with him and he was the kind of player who makes his teammates better. Scoring was not important to him, but winning was. He was very tough and always demanded the best from his team and he was a leader who would do whatever it took to win a game.”

As for Meneghin himself, he summed up his feelings during the induction speech, saying, “It’s like a painter seeing his painting in the Louvre.”