ULEB mourns the passing of Gianni de Michelis at the age of 78. De Michelis was the President of the Italian League (Lega) since 1984 til 1992. During his tenure, the Leagues of Italy, which he was presiding over, and those of Spain and France founded the ULEB, at a meeting in Rome (Italy), in June 1991 during the Eurobasket being played at the Italian capital.
De Michelis was also a politician, as he was a member of thr Italian Socialist Party and served as Minister of the Italian Government for years. May he rest in peace.
