Two Simon Fraser University basketball greats join the ranks of Canada's sporting elite with 2026 national hall of fame honours.
Former SFU basketball star Teresa Gabriele (Kleindienst) was inducted today (Aug 20) into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, while Canadian basketball pioneer and SFU legend Jay Triano will receive Canada's highest sporting honour, the Order of Sport, marking his induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame this November.
Former SFU basketball star Teresa Gabriele (Kleindienst) joins the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame this month. Basketball pioneer and SFU legend Jay Triano will receive Canada's Order of Sport later this year (photo courtesy of Jay Triano).
The honours celebrate two athletes whose accomplishments helped shape Canadian basketball and whose roots at SFU continue to inspire new generations of student-athletes.
A championship career recognized
One of the most accomplished players in SFU women's basketball history, Gabriele represented Canada at the FIBA World Championships, the Pan American Games, and two Olympic Games between 2000 and 2012.
"Being inducted into the 2026 Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame is possibly the greatest honour of my basketball career. After representing Canada for 15 years, I couldn't ask for a more rewarding acknowledgement," says the standout guard.
"My time at SFU was an integral part of my basketball career. I was very fortunate to be coached by three incredible coaches during my time there. I made lifelong friendships and memories with many teammates, physiotherapists and support staff that I will cherish forever."
A two-time NAIA All-American at SFU in 1999 and 2000, Gabriele was named the NAIA National Championship Tournament MVP in 2000. Following SFU's move to Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) in 2001, she earned All-Canadian honours in each of her final two seasons.
In 2001-02, she led the team to an undefeated season and the first women's basketball national championship in program history. She still holds the SFU single-game scoring record after scoring 45 points against Trinity Western University in 2002, a performance that remains the Canada West playoff scoring record.
A trailblazer in Canadian basketball
For Jay Triano, the recognition reflects a lifetime dedicated to advancing basketball in Canada. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 recognizes Triano as a Trailblazer, an honour reserved for athletes, builders and teams whose contributions have transformed Canada's sporting landscape and created opportunities for future generations.
A prolific scorer during his time at SFU from 1977 to 1981, Triano finished his collegiate career holding 11 school records, including an all-time scoring mark of 2,616 points.
"It is an incredible honour to be receiving this recognition. Chasing excellence in sport was part of my upbringing and the athletic community at SFU was a huge part of that," says Triano.
"I loved being an athlete so much that when I stopped playing, I made sure to stay in the sport and give back to the next generation. To me, that was even more fulfilling. I am proud to be recognized, but even more proud of the fact that I may have paved the way for others."
Triano returned to SFU as a coach before taking the reins of Canada's national team in 1999. Under his leadership, Canada qualified for the 2000 Olympic Games for the first time since 1988.
In 2008, Triano became the first Canadian-born and Canadian-trained head coach in NBA history when he was named head coach of the Toronto Raptors. He has since held NBA roles with the Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks over his decades-long coaching career.
