2016 Inductee Basketball Hall Of Fame

The 2016 Inductee Basketball Hall of Fame class was announced today. Here’s a look at the full list of inductees.

Introduction

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and Hall of Fame located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as the sport’s most complete library, in addition to promoting and preserving the history of basketball. Dedicated to Canadian-American physician and inventor of the sport James Naismith it was opened and inducted its first class in 1959. As of the induction of the Class of 2016 on September 9, 2016, the Hall has honorees enshrined in Springfield from 22 NBL, NBA, BAA, ABA leagues. The Basketball Hall of Fame’s requisite “5 pillars” are contributors Nowitzki), players (Kidd), coaches (Dunleavy Sr.), teams (UCLA men’s) and pioneers (Naismith).

Early Life and Career

Arnold “Abe” Saperstein was born on February 9, 1902, in London, England. When he was three years old, his family immigrated to the United States settling in Chicago, Illinois. Saperstein began playing basketball at an early age and was a talented athlete. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on a Basketball Scholarship and played for the school’s team from 1922 to 1924.

After graduating from college, Saperstein coached several semi-Professional Basketball teams in the Chicago area. In 1926, he founded the Original Harlem Globetrotters The team initially consisted of African-American players from the Chicago area and played exhibition games against white teams. The Globetrotters soon became one of the most popular basketball teams in the world. They were known for their showmanship and skillful play, and their games were often featured in newspapers and on radio broadcasts. In 1940, the Globetrotters played their first game outside the United States when they traveled to Cuba. They would go on to perform in more than 100 countries around the world

Professional Career

Kobe Bryant was drafted out of High School by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would go on to spend his entire 20-year career. As a Laker, Kobe won five NBA championships two NBA Finals MVPs, and was an 18-time All-Star. He is also the Lakers’ All-time leading scorer with 33,643 points.

Kobe’s individual successes are just as impressive as his team accomplishments. He was the NBA Scoring champion twice, and he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2008. In addition, Kobe was a member of two Olympic gold medal winning teams (2008, 2012).

Kobe’s impact on the game of basketball is evident in his numerous awards and honors. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.

Accomplishments

The 2016 Inductees are:
-Penny Hardaway
-Allen Iverson
-Sheryl Swoopes
-Yao Ming

Legacy

The legacy of the 2016 Inductees Basketball Hall of Fame will live on forever. They have made an incredible impact on the game of basketball and will continue to inspire players for generations to come. These players have shown incredible dedication to the sport and have achieved greatness both on and off the court. They are true legends of the game and we are honored to induct them into the Basketball Hall of Fame

Personal Life

The 2016 Inductee Basketball Hall of Fame class is one of the most decorated and accomplished groups in the history of the sport. These players have achieved greatness on and off the court, and their impact on the game of basketball is immeasurable.

off the court, these players are family men, community leaders, and role models. They have used their platform to make a positive impact on society, and their work has inspired others to do the same. These men are true heroes, and their stories deserve to be told.

2016 Induction

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to announce the Class of 2016. The nine inductees Include NBA greats Allen Iverson and Shaquille O’Neal, WNBA icon Sheryl Swoopes international star Yao Ming and revered coaches John Calipari Tom Izzo and Bo Ryan.

Joining them are legendary contributors to the game including referee Darrell Garretson, and ABA pioneer Mel Daniels.

“This year’s class is extremely special. It honors those who have contributed so much to our game in so many ways,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees. “It is an extraordinary class, which truly reflects the global reach of our game.”

The Class of 2016 will be formally enshrined at Springfield Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts on Friday, September 9th during festivities surrounding the Finals of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Reactions

The five newest inductees to the Basketball Hall of Fame were announced on Monday, and the list includes some of the biggest names in the sport.

Reaction to the news has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans and players alike expressing their excitement and congratulations for the class of 2016.

Many are already looking forward to next year’s induction ceremony, when more legends of the game will be honored.

Aftermath

The Class of 2016 was a special one, with 11 basketball legends being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame This class brought the total number of Hall of Fame inductees to 310. Honorees this year included Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson Yao Ming Sheryl Swoopes and Jerry Reinsdorf.

The enshrinement ceremony was held on Friday, September 9th at Symphony Hall in Springfield, MA. The event was capped off with a spectacular red carpet entrance by the inductees, who were then greeted by family, friends and fans.

Inside Symphony Hall, the crowd erupted when each inductee was introduced. Shaq drew the biggest reaction as he made his way to the stage, even receiving a standing ovation from his fellow inductees. In his speech, Shaq thanked his mother for her support and told stories about his time in the NBA. He also had some kind words for Kobe Bryant saying that he “wanted to be like Mike [Jordan], but ended up being like Kobe.”

It was an emotional night for all involved, and a special one for basketball fans around the world. The Class of 2016 will go down as one of the best ever, and their legacy will live on forever in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Conclusion

The 2016 Inductee Basketball Hall of Fame class is one of the most accomplished and prolific groups in the history of the sport. Featuring some of the greatest players coaches, and contributors to the game, this class is truly a who’s who of basketball. From Russell Westbrook and Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, this class represents some of the best to ever take the court. If you’re a fan of basketball, this is a class you won’t want to miss.