GLENDALE, Ariz. — Final Four Saturday began with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024 announcement in Glendale, Ariz.
The 13 honorees include former NBA stars Chauncey Billups (now head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers), dunk specialist Vince Carter, former Los Angeles Lakers defensive guru Michael Cooper and Phoenix Suns legend Walter Davis.
Carter, an eight-time All-Star who scored 25,728 points in 22 seasons, found the day to be highly emotional.
“It’s mind-blowing for me,” said Carter, the 1999 Rookie of the Year with the Toronto Raptors. “I enjoyed playing the game of basketball every day. I’m just overjoyed.”
Billups was known as “Mr. Big Shot” as a player due to his clutch nature. Billups was a five-time All-Star and the 2004 NBA Finals MVP when he led the Detroit Pistons to the title.
“It really is crazy,” said Billups, who played 17 NBA seasons. “I’ve spent a lot of the past few days being speechless knowing I was going into what I call ‘Basketball Heaven.'”
Cooper was one of the NBA’s top defenders during his 12 seasons. He was part of five championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis was a six-time All-Star during 15 NBA seasons. The 1978 Rookie of the Year is still the leading scorer (15,666) in Phoenix Suns history.
Former New York Knicks star Dick Barnett also was inducted.
Former Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan and Louisiana high school coaching legend Charles Smith are to be inducted as coaches. Ryan won 747 overall games as a college coach, while Smith won nine high school championships in Louisiana.
Four-time WNBA champion and eight-time All-Star Seimone Augustus also earn induction into the Hall of Fame.
The late Harley Redin, who coached the Wayland Baptist women for 18 seasons, also will be entering the Hall of Fame.
Former WNBA star Michelle Timms was chosen by the Hall of Fame’s International Committee. Former coach, player and broadcaster Doug Collins, Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon and player/executive Jerry West were named as contributors.
West is the first member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to be inducted as a player and contributor.
The induction ceremonies are Aug. 16 and 17 in Springfield, Mass., and Uncasville, Conn.
–Field Level Media