Legendary basketball player and coach John Tabone passed away on Christmas Day, the Malta Basketball Association said.

He was 71 years old.

We are profoundly saddened by the news that John Tabone has passed away, aged 71, the association said.

"John is a true giant of Maltese basketball, having enjoyed a successful career as a player and a coach for over five decades - an incredible achievement", the association said.

He is synonymous with Luxol, the club he helped to found and with whom he won several titles both as a player and a coach, including five consecutive honours between 2007 and 2009 - his proudest coaching moment, in John’s own words.

John, who also coached the national team in the 1980s, was recently inducted into the Maltese Olympic Committee Hall of Fame.

The Malta Basketball Association conveyed its profound condolences to John Tabone’s family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in peace John - you will never be forgotten!

Tributes have been pouring in on the social media since the news of John's death was made public.

The basketball community, as well as other people who knew him, sang his praises as a man who gave so much to the game and helped in its development in Malta.