Julio Anaya

Julio César Anaya Freile (born 5 November 1991) is a Panamanian basketball referee licensed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). He officiated the men's gold medal game at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. He is the second Panamanian to referee a senior FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Early life and career As a child Anaya was interested in volleyball before switching to basketball. before transitioning to refereeing mini basketball. making him one of the youngest FIBA-licensed referees in the world at the time. Anaya studied maritime and port engineering at the Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, though he never practiced the profession.

In 2013, Anaya's nomination to the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship was withdrawn after the Panamanian Basketball Federation (FEPABA) was suspended by FIBA over governance issues.

Among his most notable assignments are the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and 2024 Summer Olympics. At the 2022 Women's World Cup, he was assigned to the final between the United States and China. The following year, he officiated the third-place game at the men's World Cup. At Paris 2024, Anaya refereed the men's gold medal game between the United States and France. and 2026, refereeing the final both years.