Today the inductees for the 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame class were announced.
Entering the hall are Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Yao Ming, Sheryl Swoopes, Tom Izzo and Jerry Reinsdorf. In addition, referee Darrell Garretson, coach John McLendon, Zelmo Beaty and Cumberland Posey will also be enshrined.
Shaq has four NBA Championship rings, a League MVP award, three NBA Finals MVP awards and is ninth on the League’s scoring list.
Iverson was the NBA MVP in 2001, an 11-time All-Star and was also a four-time scoring champion.
Ming was the number one overall pick by the Rockets in 2002, and eight-time All-Star and helped open up the road for the NBA into China.
Swoopes was the first player signed by the WNBA and was known as the female Air Jordan. She won three MVP awards and four championships with the Comets.
Izzo has 524 career victories, reached seven Final Fours and won the 2000 NCAA championship with the Michigan State Spartans.
Reinsdorf, who has been owner and chairman of the Bulls since 1985, built the team into a powerhouse, winning six NBA Championships in the 1990s.
Garretson was an NBA referee for 27 years and spent 17 years as the league’s chief of officiating. He worked 1,798 regular-season games, 269 playoff games, 41 Finals games and five All-Star Games.
The enshrinement ceremony is Sept. 9 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For the full story, read here.
