International Association of Approved Basketball Officials

20/09/2026

IAABO Inc. appreciates the service, leadership, and dedication of President Bob Lantzy, Bd. 4 in Colorado, as he passes the torch to incoming President Scott Young, Bd. 70 in Pennsylvania.

Thank you, Bob, for your commitment to IAABO and our great game. And congratulations, Scott! We look forward to the next chapter of IAABO leadership.

20/09/2026

20/09/2026

If IAABO had a Mount Rushmore, Tom Lopes would be on it.

Losing Tom this past year was a tough pill to swallow. His legacy, his presence, and the impact he had on IAABO and basketball officiating will be felt forever.

One of the traditions at the IAABO Fall Seminar is a card game called “Pass the Trash.” Last night, the last person standing was Nancy Lopes, Tom’s wife.

Nancy didn’t lose a single round.

When she won, she clenched her hands together, looked up toward the sky, and simply said:

“Thank you, Tom.”

It was so genuine. So heartfelt. It sent chills through everyone who witnessed it.

As the night came to a close, everyone began filing out of the room. And there, in the hallway, stood a tripod displaying Tom’s plaque from receiving the NASO Golden Whistle Award.

Nancy… he sure was with you last night. Thank you for sharing yourself with and your memories of Tom with all of us.

Our love for Tom and the entire Lopes family will live on forever. ❤️🏀

Now go get yourself a nice dinner with that cash! 😉💰

20/09/2026

Hey IAABO! Listen… you’re in great hands! 👊🏀

Our interpreters, leaders and members are LOCKED IN and ready to bring home the knowledge, videos, tips, and training you need for this year’s rules changes.

Leading the charge this morning is TJ Halliday, IAABO Director of Training & Education, preparing our interpreters to take this information back to their Boards and officials across IAABO. 👏👏

This is what makes IAABO a leader in basketball officiating education — professional, purposeful, and cutting-edge resources designed to help officials learn, teach, and get better. 📈

The training is elite. The resources are next level. The season starts here.

20/09/2026

🚨 ANOTHER BABY PIC! 👶😂

But here’s the question…

Did THIS baby grow up to become an IAABO Life Member?! 🏀⛓️

Only time will tell… but we’re keeping an eye on this one! 👀😂

“I can’t wait to become an IAABO official…!” 💭 - Steve Rubbinaccio

19/09/2026

🤔 Hey IAABO, WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Which 2026 Life Member is this?!

👶➡️🏀➡️⛓️

19/09/2026

IAABO Executive Director Donnie Eppley is our host tonight—and he’s getting ready to HYPE IT UP! 🔥

Check out the Hype Chain that will be donned on every Life Member as we celebrate their incredible contributions to IAABO and the game we love! 🏀⛓️

Tonight, we celebrate LEGENDS!

19/09/2026

Hey IAABO,

Tonight, we honor five Life Members whose dedication, commitment, and service to IAABO—and to the great game of basketball—have left a lasting impact.

Their years of service represent what it means to be an IAABO official: pride in the craft, commitment to the game, and a willingness to give back to those who follow.

Each of these individuals is a true inspiration to our officiating community.

Thank you for your service. Thank you for your leadership. And thank you for helping make IAABO what it is today.

Tonight, we celebrate YOU. 🏀👏👏

19/09/2026

IAABO Life Membership Ceremony is underway!

Sponsored by Fox 40 World

19/09/2026

is BUENO!

Early in our careers, we learn pretty quickly that perfection isn’t attainable. So, we strive for excellence.

And to learn and grow, officials have to be willing to be vulnerable to the “NO BUENO.” We need to identify what we need to improve, own it, and get better.

But we also have to embrace and reinforce the “BUENO.” It’s easy to harp on the negative all the time. Great mentorship recognizes the good, reinforces it, and builds confidence from it.

This afternoon, Jon Levinson delivered some Kinder Bueno to IAABO Select Coordinator Andy O’Brien.

And let me tell you…

DELICIOUS! 😂

Keep the BUENO coming, Jon! 👏🏀