It’s Hall of Fame induction time (some people’s most nostalgic part of the year) and the NBA Class of 2016 is stacked. After shortening the number of years from five to four since retirement for Hall of Fame eligibility, AI, Shaq, and Ming were immediately considered.
According to NBA.com, the 2016 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees announced today is as follows:
- Shaquille O’Neal played 19 seasons in the NBA, averaging 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds. He was MVP in 2000 and a three-time MVP of the NBA Finals.
- Allen Iverson, the 6-footer played 14 seasons, averaging 26.7 points and 6.2 assists. He was named MVP in 2001.
- Yao Ming, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2002 NBA draft and spent his entire career with the Houston Rockets before it as cut short by injuries in 2010.
- Jerry Reinsdorf, long-time owner of the Chicago Bulls, whose team dominated the NBA by winning six championships in the 1990s.
- Sheryl Swoopes, three-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist, four-time WNBA champion and three-time WNBA MVP.
- Tom Izzo, head coach at Michigan State, where he has led the Spartans to the 2000 NCAA title and seven trips to the Final Four.
Posthumous inductees include:
- Zelmo Beatty, who spent most of his career in the ABA, averaging 17.1 points and 10.9 rebounds.
- Darell Garretson, former referee.
- John McLendon, former coach who won three NAIA championships.
- Cumberland Posey, a star in the early 1900s, who is also in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
What do you think about the NBA Class of 2016? SneakerHistory.com has done a ton of great pieces on many of this year’s inductees so I’ve included the links to a few stories below. Enjoy catching up on some basketball and sneaker history!
Allen Iverson’s 10 Greatest Sneaker Moments
14 Years Ago Today Iverson Steps Over Lue
TISH: Allen Iverson Laces Up the Air Jordan 11 Concords
Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian Meet in the NBA for the First Time
Four Years Ago, Yao Ming Retires
Shaq’s Triple Double Against Nets in the Reebok Shaq Attaq II
SHAQ Scores 61 On His 28th Birthday
Photos via SneakerHistory.com
Great Class,
This is Reeboks opportunity to do something BIG with Iverson. Maybe a Question “ultimate” … or something new,. Nike reinvents the Airmax 1 , 90, 95 ect / creates an artificial celebration day / blast the story all over social media.
The ball has been dropped sooo many times.You can only re re re re re release the Question so many times.. And u can only blame Adidas for so much.
Come on Reebok, this is your chance!