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Dave McMenamin, ESPN Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS — Aerial artist Vince Carter, big shot maker Chauncey Billups, breakout scorer Seimone Augustus and Wisconsin's winningest coach Bo Ryan were named to the All-NBA selection on Friday. announced the 14 finalists to be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. star weekend.
Carter, a former All-Star, eight-time slam dunk champion, Rookie of the Year and Olympic gold medalist who retired in 2020 after scoring more than 25,000 points in 22 seasons, was present at the press conference.
“It's unbelievable,” said Carter, considered one of the greatest slam dunk showmen to ever grace the hardwoods. “More than anything, I loved playing. It wasn't about the numbers. Maybe five years before I retired, someone asked me, 'Why are you still playing? You're below average.'” And I said, “But I still love playing.'' And that was the point. ”
Billups, who earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” for his clutch performances with the Detroit Pistons, was named to the All-Star team five times and to the All-Defensive Team twice. He was the MVP of the 2004 NBA Finals, where the Pistons defeated Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Augustus was the No. 1 pick by the Minnesota Lynx in 2006 and went on to become a four-time WNBA champion and an eight-time All-Star following his Rookie of the Year honor. Ryan compiled a 747-233 (.762) record in 32 seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin, leading the Badgers to 14 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a consecutive Final Four appearance in 2014. 2015.
Other player finalists included Lakers' “Showtime”-era defensive stopper Michael Cooper; Point guard Michelle Timms is the first Australian, male or female, to play internationally. Dick Barnett was a three-time NAIA National Champion in college at Tennessee A&I University and a two-time NBA Champion with the New York Knicks. and Walter Davis, a six-time All-Star and the Phoenix Suns' all-time leading scorer in franchise history.
Mr. Davis died in November at the age of 69.
“Walter Davis, he was one of the greatest draft picks that Phoenix ever took, he went No. 1. He's probably one of the greatest shooters to ever play, a pure shooter.” Hall of Fame President Jerry Colangelo said. “Unfortunately, he passed away only a few months ago and his family would be happy to be elected in his place.”
Other coaching finalists included Marian Washington, who coached the University of Kansas women's basketball team for 31 seasons and won a school-record 560 games. Harley Reddin coached the Wayland Baptist girls basketball team to a 431-66 record in 18 seasons. That includes two undefeated seasons. Charles Smith is the winningest high school basketball coach in Louisiana history, accumulating more than 1,000 wins with the boys' teams at Peabody Magnet High School.
Indiana Pacers Governor Herb Simon. Jerry West is an advisor to the current Los Angeles Clippers and a longtime NBA front office executive. and outstanding player, coach and television analyst Doug Collins were all nominated as finalists for their contributions to the game.
After finalists are voted on, the Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in August in Springfield, Mass., as part of the NCAA Final Four festivities in Phoenix in April. The 2024 Kurt Gordy Media Award and John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award winners were also announced Friday.
Longtime LA Times reporter, ESPN columnist and Around the Horn panelist JA Adande and college basketball analyst and play-by-play commentator Debbie Antonelli were both honored with the Gordy Award. Ta.
Dennis Page, founder and publisher of SLAM Magazine, and Ahmad Rashad, co-host and executive producer of NBA Inside Stuff, will represent their respective platforms, making SLAM and Inside Stuff both innovative media outlets. won the Gowdy Award.
“We wanted to show athletes from a different, different side,” Rashad said. “Not just on the court where they play up and down, but what are they doing at home? Who goes to the store? Who goes to the mall? So we look at these big stars. Let's take them to your house and see what they look like.'' That's true. ”
Additionally, Joanne Scott, affectionately known as “Mayvin of March Madness” for her work overseeing the logistics of the NCAA Tournament at the DI, D-II and D-III levels, will be named the 2024 John W Award recipient. Nominated. Bun Lifetime Achievement Award.
