ABA celebrates 50 years with anniversary gala
It was a night half a century in the making, as the Alberta Basketball Association (ABA) held its 50th Anniversary Gala on Sept. 6 at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
Attendees from around the province gathered in Hall D, home of the Edmonton Stingers, to celebrate basketball’s rich history in Alberta.
Basketball Hall-of-Famer John Stockton, the NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals, served as keynote speaker, sharing stories and lessons from his incredible career. The two-time Olympic champion spoke glowingly of basketball in the province and congratulated the Alberta men’s and women’s basketball teams that swept gold at the Canada Summer Games last month.
Award-winning journalist Cami Kepke hosted a panel with members of the 2016 Canadian women’s Olympic basketball team, Nirra Fields, Miah-Marie Langlois and coach Shawnee Harle. The trio talked about the growth of women’s hoops and fondly recalled winning the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship for Women in Edmonton.
Reed Clarke served as emcee as the evening, and ABA board president Chad Bowie announced that the inaugural Alberta Basketball Hall of Fame class will be inducted in 2026.
ABA thanks all who attended, helping to make this a truly special night befitting of the occasion.
