The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) congratulates former Chairman Jerry Colangelo on leading Team USA to its fourth consecutive gold in men’s basketball. The gold medal came after an 87-82 win over France on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

“We are extremely proud of Jerry’s accomplishments as executive director of USA Basketball. We salute Jerry as a distinguished Italian American, passionate leader and a role model for all of us to follow,” said NIAF Chairman Robert E. Carlucci.

Colangelo served as chairman of the Board of Directors of USA Basketball from 2009-2012 and serves as managing director of USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team program, which he re-established as one of the best in the world. He also has made an immeasurable impact on the NBA having served as the chairman of the NBA’s Board of Governors from 2001 to 2005. It was Jerry’s vision, experience and acumen that helped guide the Arizona Diamondbacks to a World Series championship in 2001. During Colangelo’s 37-year tenure in Phoenix, he turned the Phoenix Suns into one of the most successful NBA teams, with the seventh-best all-time winning percentage. He also brought professional women’s basketball to the United States, while serving on the founding committee for the WNBA.

Born and raised in Chicago Heights, Ill., Colangelo began his basketball career as a teenager, earned all-state recognition and was offered more than five dozen college scholarships. Colangelo was honored at NIAF’s Anniversary Awards Gala in 1996 with the NIAF Special Achievement Award in Sports/Business. Colangelo served as Chairman of the NIAF Board of Directors from 2009 to 2013.

This was Colangelo’s final Olympic run and will retire from USA Basketball after 16 years.