By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The latest inductees in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame were enshrined on Sunday evening.
Among the highlights of the Class of 2024, Vince Carter, an eight-time NBA All-Star, credited his first NBA team, the Toronto Raptors. “Without a doubt, I am going into the Hall of Fame as a Raptor,” he mentioned during the ceremony.
Chauncey Billups was also inducted and similarly referred to six years with the Detroit Pistons, including an NBA championship in 2024. “I never thought I needed a second home but in Detroit, I have one,” he said.
Jerry West was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame for a record-breaking third time. From a player in 1979 to a member of the 1960 Olympic team of the United States in 2010, he was posthumously enshrined as an executive and consultant. His son, Jonnie West, delivered an emotional tribute as did Michael Cooper during his speech.
Besides 47-year-old Carter, 48-year-old Billups, and 68-year-old Cooper, Walter Davis, Bo Ryan, and Charles Smith were inducted through the North American Committee, Seimone Augustus via the Women’s Committee, Dick Barnett through the Men’s Veteran Committee, Harley Redin through the Women’s Veteran Committee, Michele Timms through the International Committee, Doug Collins, Herb Simon and the late West through the Contributors Committee, and Billy Crystal, Alan Horwitz, Spike Lee and Jack Nicholson were added to the James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery.
Welcome home Class of 2024. 🏆🏀 #24HoopClass pic.twitter.com/tw5CtoYinL
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) October 14, 2024
Moving to the group of inductees through the 2025 class, the next Hall of Famers will be announced during the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio.