Committee Chairman
Kirk Buchner, "The Committee Chairman", is the owner and operator of the site. Kirk can be contacted at [email protected] .
Our Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame announces the Class of 2017!
Dec 29, 2017
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
TORONTO, ONTARIO DecEMBER 30, 2017
After a year long public vote the Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame has announced the five new members comprising the Class of 2018.
In the Fictitious Athlete Division, Willie “Mays” Hayes (Major League), Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump) and Bobby Boucher (The Waterboy) were chosen. From the Rocky series, Mickey Goldmill has been voted in and “Guffy” McGovern from Angels in the Outfield is the Veteran’s Selection.
The induction of Hayes (specifically the version played by Wesley Snipes in the first Major League film) marks the third character from the movie to be inducted. The fleet-footed outfielder joins Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) and Harry Doyle (Bob Uecker) who were voted in on the first class.
While Forrest Gump is not a sports film, the titular character is one of the most versatile fictional athletes of all-time. Gump was an All-American at the University of Alabama under the famed Paul “Bear” Bryant, a Ping-Pong savant who was one of the fist Americans to excel at the sport and a long distance endurance runner the likes of which had never been seen before. This was a bona fide three sport superstar!
In terms of fictional College Football Bobby Boucher is arguably the greatest defensive player the game has ever seen. It was the waterboy turned Linebacker who allowed the South Central Louisiana State Mud Dogs to capture the Bourbon Bowl. This is also the second induction for an Adam Sandler character as Happy Gilmore was inducted last year.
Mickey Goldmill, the trainer of Rocky Balboa has been selected as this year’s Contributor inductee.
The final inductee is Guffy McGovern from the 1951 film, Angels in the Outfield.
This class joins previous inductees, which include Rocky Balboa (Rocky), Roy Hobbs (The Natural), Crash Davis (Bull Durham), The Hanson Brothers (Slap Shot) and many more.
We ask to you to vote for the next class, as preliminary nominees are now up for the Class of 2018!
The link is here: http://www.notinhalloffame.com/the-voting/2018-fictitious-athlete-first-round
As always we thank you for your support!
After a year long public vote the Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame has announced the five new members comprising the Class of 2018.
In the Fictitious Athlete Division, Willie “Mays” Hayes (Major League), Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump) and Bobby Boucher (The Waterboy) were chosen. From the Rocky series, Mickey Goldmill has been voted in and “Guffy” McGovern from Angels in the Outfield is the Veteran’s Selection.
The induction of Hayes (specifically the version played by Wesley Snipes in the first Major League film) marks the third character from the movie to be inducted. The fleet-footed outfielder joins Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) and Harry Doyle (Bob Uecker) who were voted in on the first class.
While Forrest Gump is not a sports film, the titular character is one of the most versatile fictional athletes of all-time. Gump was an All-American at the University of Alabama under the famed Paul “Bear” Bryant, a Ping-Pong savant who was one of the fist Americans to excel at the sport and a long distance endurance runner the likes of which had never been seen before. This was a bona fide three sport superstar!
In terms of fictional College Football Bobby Boucher is arguably the greatest defensive player the game has ever seen. It was the waterboy turned Linebacker who allowed the South Central Louisiana State Mud Dogs to capture the Bourbon Bowl. This is also the second induction for an Adam Sandler character as Happy Gilmore was inducted last year.
Mickey Goldmill, the trainer of Rocky Balboa has been selected as this year’s Contributor inductee.
The final inductee is Guffy McGovern from the 1951 film, Angels in the Outfield.
This class joins previous inductees, which include Rocky Balboa (Rocky), Roy Hobbs (The Natural), Crash Davis (Bull Durham), The Hanson Brothers (Slap Shot) and many more.
We ask to you to vote for the next class, as preliminary nominees are now up for the Class of 2018!
The link is here: http://www.notinhalloffame.com/the-voting/2018-fictitious-athlete-first-round
As always we thank you for your support!
Spheniscus comments on the RRHOF Selections
Dec 25, 2017
Published in
From the Desk of the Chairman
Congrats to the six newest members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Nina Simone, The Moody Blues, The Cars, Dire Straits, and Bon Jovi! 11 quick thoughts on this class:
1. The Good: The Rock Hall voters had a quality list of candidates to choose from with limited pet projects. That is reflected in this group. There isn’t a single one that is undeserving. And these are all acts that have been waiting a long time. Bon Jovi has been eligible for nine years and they are the most recent band on this list. Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Nina Simone have been eligible since the Hall opened in 1986. While there were other acts I thought might get in, this is a good, solid (somewhat safe) Rock Hall class of acts that have been waiting a while.
2. The Bad: One of the biggest criticisms levied against the Hall is that if you aren’t a white guy it is very hard to break through and in. And while this is a worthy group of people, ti is a pretty homogenous group. There are twenty five people going in this class. Two are women and two are not white and they are the same two people. And for what it is worth, both have been dead for quite some time (Simone since 2003 and Tharpe since 1973).
Part of this is that the voters can only vote on the nominees in front of them. They had 19 choices this year and only five of the over fifty people in those groups combined were women: Tharpe, Simone, Kate Bush, Chaka Khan, and Annie Lennox (with the Eurythmics). So 40% did get in, although the voters only actually chose Simone as Sister Rosetta Tharpe got a special award. Still with so many quality female artists who have never been nominated, (Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Cher, Carly Simon, Patti LaBelle, Pat Benatar, Connie Francis, and Emmylou Harris just to name a few) getting them in one at a time seems tokenism at best.
3. The Unnecessary: Going back to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, it was apparent that she was going to be inducted as soon as she was nominated. Rock Hall geeks like me have been pushing for her to be inducted as an early influence for the past 15 years at least. That said, there was no way she was getting in via the vote, she was always going to be the early influence. So why put her on the ballot? It just crowds an already large group and spreads the votes out even more. The Rock Hall has done this two times before with Wanda Jackson and Freddy King and were roundly criticized for it. It is just unnecessary. If there is an old time act you want to induct in a seniors committee sort of way, just do it. Don’t put them on the ballot.
4. The Popular: The Rock Hall has had an online vote for the past six years, the results of which are supposed to count for only one of the 450+ votes that go in every year. Not coincidentally, the band that has won the online vote every year has gone in vote (Rush, Kiss, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chicago, Journey, and now Bon Jovi). I originally said as soon as they were nominated that Bon Jovi should start preparing their speeches then as they were clearly winning that vote.
Interestingly, this year the top four vote getters on the online poll all got in: Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, Dire Straits, and The Cars in that order (Nina Simone was 10th). So it would be interesting to see how many voters listened to the public in filling out their ballots.
5. The Shocking: Finishing 12th on that list was a band pretty much everyone was sure was going to be a first ballot inductee: Radiohead. But they ended up not making the cut. Part of that may be that they announced that if they were elected they would not be at the ceremony as they had a concert in Buenos Aires that day they were unwilling to move. Something similar allegedly happened with 2017 inductee Yes when they had a cruise for Yes fans back in 2014 they were unwilling to move if they were elected. The rumor was that they did make it, but since they weren’t willing to work with the Hall, the Hall didn’t let them in. Don’t feel bad for Thom Yorke and company though. They’ll be back next year.
6. The Critics Choice: It is great to see Nina Simone get in. She was highly talented and incredibly influential musician and political activist whose heyday was from the late 50s to early 70s. The problem I expected for her was that her lack of hits was going to hurt her chances of getting in. I mean, while “Sinnerman” is one of my favorite tracks of all time, her greatest hit is 1958’s “I Loves You, Porgy” which has largely been lost to history at this point honestly.
But what I underestimated was while she is not as well remembered by the public, she is not just loved but beloved by many in the music industry. There was almost universal support amongst artists when she was first nominated that of all of the nominees she should be the one in. They got her. And it is really about time. If you don’t know her, find her today.
7. The Overlooked: This is another win for bands that have been passed over for years without a nomination. Simone and Tharpe waited 32 years to get in on their first shot at the Hall. The Moody Blues waited 28. Dire Straits 14.
This follows a pattern that has been occurring since they revamped the nominating committee. Lots of “forgotten bands” are getting their shot and getting in after waiting more than 10 years for a chance. In the past five years we’ve had Hall and Oates, Linda Rondstadt, Peter Gabriel, Bill Withers, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Steve Miller, Electric Light Orchestra, Joan Baez, and Journey get through this way. That is a good sign for groups like: America, Bad Company, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, Blue Oyster Cult, Jethro Tull, Kansas, King Crimson, REO Speedwagon, Roxy Music, Styx, Supertramp, The Doobie Brothers, The Pointer Sisters, Three Dog Night, Uriah Heap, Wings, and many others who have been eligible since at least 2000 and have no nominations.
8. The Opening Doors: Every time an act is elected that tends to open a door for someone else. Sort of a situation where X can’t get in until Y is in, which is the argument that happened with KISS not getting in before Alice Cooper. So who does this class help?
Bon Jovi is a help for other 80’s big hair rock bands like Def Leppard and Motley Crue and perhaps following acts like INXS.
The Cars helps other 80s pop bands like Duran Duran, Foreigner, and perhaps Culture Club or New Order.
Dire Straits helps other 70s and 80s guitar groups like Steppenwolf, Blue Oyster Cult, The Doobie Brothers, and perhaps groups like the Pixies and even the Flaming Lips.
Nina Simone removes one of the longest overlooked women. That gives more hope for Patti LaBelle. We are now 32 years into the Rock Hall and Patti LaBelle is not enshrined in any way, shape or form. That is a travesty.
And the Moody Blues gives help to those remaining British invasion groups who haven’t broken through yet like their fellow nominees The Zombies, Manfred Mann, Herman’s Hermits, and Gerry and the Pacemakers.
9: The Left Behind: So what does this mean for those who were not elected? I think this may be the only nomination for Kate Bush, who was another pleasant surprise to see on the ballot, but just doesn’t appear to have either the public or critical support to get back on. LL Cool J had his 4th nomination but first in five years and with other rap acts such as Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, and Snoop hitting the ballot over the coming years, it may be a while before we see him as well.
The others: Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, J. Geils Band, Judas Priest, Link Wray, MC5, Radiohead, Rage against the Machine, Rufus with Chaka Khan, The Meters, and The Zombies should all be back in consideration in coming years. In fact, I’d be surprised not to see at least Radiohead, Rage, and the Priest back again next year.
10: The Coming Attractions: Look for Snoop Dog, Dr. Dre, The Roots, and Dave Matthews Band to join the ballot next year as potential first time eligibles (with Counting Crows, Toni Braxton, and Sheryl Crow also being possibilities). I’d also expect Janet Jackson, Kraftwerk, Nine Inch Nails, and Jane’s Addiction to resurface from previous ballots. Finally, don’t be surprised if Tammi Terrell or Leslie Gore end up being the female artist they rediscover for the ballot next year.
11: The Crystal Ball: So how did I do with my predictions? I picked Bon Jovi, Judas Priest, LL Cool J, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, and The Moody Blues with Sister Rosetta Tharpe as the Early Influence inductee. So only three out of six with the Early Influence inductee. Not bad, but not great either.
1. The Good: The Rock Hall voters had a quality list of candidates to choose from with limited pet projects. That is reflected in this group. There isn’t a single one that is undeserving. And these are all acts that have been waiting a long time. Bon Jovi has been eligible for nine years and they are the most recent band on this list. Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Nina Simone have been eligible since the Hall opened in 1986. While there were other acts I thought might get in, this is a good, solid (somewhat safe) Rock Hall class of acts that have been waiting a while.
2. The Bad: One of the biggest criticisms levied against the Hall is that if you aren’t a white guy it is very hard to break through and in. And while this is a worthy group of people, ti is a pretty homogenous group. There are twenty five people going in this class. Two are women and two are not white and they are the same two people. And for what it is worth, both have been dead for quite some time (Simone since 2003 and Tharpe since 1973).
Part of this is that the voters can only vote on the nominees in front of them. They had 19 choices this year and only five of the over fifty people in those groups combined were women: Tharpe, Simone, Kate Bush, Chaka Khan, and Annie Lennox (with the Eurythmics). So 40% did get in, although the voters only actually chose Simone as Sister Rosetta Tharpe got a special award. Still with so many quality female artists who have never been nominated, (Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Cher, Carly Simon, Patti LaBelle, Pat Benatar, Connie Francis, and Emmylou Harris just to name a few) getting them in one at a time seems tokenism at best.
3. The Unnecessary: Going back to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, it was apparent that she was going to be inducted as soon as she was nominated. Rock Hall geeks like me have been pushing for her to be inducted as an early influence for the past 15 years at least. That said, there was no way she was getting in via the vote, she was always going to be the early influence. So why put her on the ballot? It just crowds an already large group and spreads the votes out even more. The Rock Hall has done this two times before with Wanda Jackson and Freddy King and were roundly criticized for it. It is just unnecessary. If there is an old time act you want to induct in a seniors committee sort of way, just do it. Don’t put them on the ballot.
4. The Popular: The Rock Hall has had an online vote for the past six years, the results of which are supposed to count for only one of the 450+ votes that go in every year. Not coincidentally, the band that has won the online vote every year has gone in vote (Rush, Kiss, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chicago, Journey, and now Bon Jovi). I originally said as soon as they were nominated that Bon Jovi should start preparing their speeches then as they were clearly winning that vote.
Interestingly, this year the top four vote getters on the online poll all got in: Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, Dire Straits, and The Cars in that order (Nina Simone was 10th). So it would be interesting to see how many voters listened to the public in filling out their ballots.
5. The Shocking: Finishing 12th on that list was a band pretty much everyone was sure was going to be a first ballot inductee: Radiohead. But they ended up not making the cut. Part of that may be that they announced that if they were elected they would not be at the ceremony as they had a concert in Buenos Aires that day they were unwilling to move. Something similar allegedly happened with 2017 inductee Yes when they had a cruise for Yes fans back in 2014 they were unwilling to move if they were elected. The rumor was that they did make it, but since they weren’t willing to work with the Hall, the Hall didn’t let them in. Don’t feel bad for Thom Yorke and company though. They’ll be back next year.
6. The Critics Choice: It is great to see Nina Simone get in. She was highly talented and incredibly influential musician and political activist whose heyday was from the late 50s to early 70s. The problem I expected for her was that her lack of hits was going to hurt her chances of getting in. I mean, while “Sinnerman” is one of my favorite tracks of all time, her greatest hit is 1958’s “I Loves You, Porgy” which has largely been lost to history at this point honestly.
But what I underestimated was while she is not as well remembered by the public, she is not just loved but beloved by many in the music industry. There was almost universal support amongst artists when she was first nominated that of all of the nominees she should be the one in. They got her. And it is really about time. If you don’t know her, find her today.
7. The Overlooked: This is another win for bands that have been passed over for years without a nomination. Simone and Tharpe waited 32 years to get in on their first shot at the Hall. The Moody Blues waited 28. Dire Straits 14.
This follows a pattern that has been occurring since they revamped the nominating committee. Lots of “forgotten bands” are getting their shot and getting in after waiting more than 10 years for a chance. In the past five years we’ve had Hall and Oates, Linda Rondstadt, Peter Gabriel, Bill Withers, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Steve Miller, Electric Light Orchestra, Joan Baez, and Journey get through this way. That is a good sign for groups like: America, Bad Company, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, Blue Oyster Cult, Jethro Tull, Kansas, King Crimson, REO Speedwagon, Roxy Music, Styx, Supertramp, The Doobie Brothers, The Pointer Sisters, Three Dog Night, Uriah Heap, Wings, and many others who have been eligible since at least 2000 and have no nominations.
8. The Opening Doors: Every time an act is elected that tends to open a door for someone else. Sort of a situation where X can’t get in until Y is in, which is the argument that happened with KISS not getting in before Alice Cooper. So who does this class help?
Bon Jovi is a help for other 80’s big hair rock bands like Def Leppard and Motley Crue and perhaps following acts like INXS.
The Cars helps other 80s pop bands like Duran Duran, Foreigner, and perhaps Culture Club or New Order.
Dire Straits helps other 70s and 80s guitar groups like Steppenwolf, Blue Oyster Cult, The Doobie Brothers, and perhaps groups like the Pixies and even the Flaming Lips.
Nina Simone removes one of the longest overlooked women. That gives more hope for Patti LaBelle. We are now 32 years into the Rock Hall and Patti LaBelle is not enshrined in any way, shape or form. That is a travesty.
And the Moody Blues gives help to those remaining British invasion groups who haven’t broken through yet like their fellow nominees The Zombies, Manfred Mann, Herman’s Hermits, and Gerry and the Pacemakers.
9: The Left Behind: So what does this mean for those who were not elected? I think this may be the only nomination for Kate Bush, who was another pleasant surprise to see on the ballot, but just doesn’t appear to have either the public or critical support to get back on. LL Cool J had his 4th nomination but first in five years and with other rap acts such as Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, and Snoop hitting the ballot over the coming years, it may be a while before we see him as well.
The others: Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, J. Geils Band, Judas Priest, Link Wray, MC5, Radiohead, Rage against the Machine, Rufus with Chaka Khan, The Meters, and The Zombies should all be back in consideration in coming years. In fact, I’d be surprised not to see at least Radiohead, Rage, and the Priest back again next year.
10: The Coming Attractions: Look for Snoop Dog, Dr. Dre, The Roots, and Dave Matthews Band to join the ballot next year as potential first time eligibles (with Counting Crows, Toni Braxton, and Sheryl Crow also being possibilities). I’d also expect Janet Jackson, Kraftwerk, Nine Inch Nails, and Jane’s Addiction to resurface from previous ballots. Finally, don’t be surprised if Tammi Terrell or Leslie Gore end up being the female artist they rediscover for the ballot next year.
11: The Crystal Ball: So how did I do with my predictions? I picked Bon Jovi, Judas Priest, LL Cool J, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, and The Moody Blues with Sister Rosetta Tharpe as the Early Influence inductee. So only three out of six with the Early Influence inductee. Not bad, but not great either.
We look at all of the Nominees for the Basketball HOF
Dec 25, 2017
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
The Basketball Hall of Fame shocked us yesterday with their announcement that former players are now eligible three years after retirement. As such, it rendered our Notinhalloffame.com Basketball list invalid and has also created a loaded list of nominees.
Let’s get right to the nominees for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018:
Oh…and be patient…It is quite the long list
Players (North American Committee):
Mark Aguirre: Aguirre is a two time NBA Champion with the Pistons and was also a three time NBA All Star. In 1980 at DePaul he was named the Naismith College Player of the Year.
Ray Allen: The king of the three point shot is a two time NBA Champion
(Boston 2008 & Miami 2013) and is 24th all-time in scoring. Allen was also a ten time All Star and was the 1996 Big East Player of the Year.
Chauncey Billups: The motor of the surprise Detroit Pistons 2004 NBA Title team and a seven time All Star. He was the Finals MVP in ’04.
Muggsy Bogues: Bogues was a fifteen year NBA veteran most notably with the Charlotte Hornets.
Maurice Cheeks: Cheeks won the NBA Title with the Sixers in 1983 and was a four time All Star. He was also a four time First Team All-Defensive Selection.
Richard Hamilton: “Rip” was another member of the 2004 Detroit Pistons team and was a NCAA Champion and Most Outstanding Player of the 1999 Tournament.
Tim Hardaway: A five time NBA All Star, Tim Hardaway was also a five time All-NBA Selection.
Grant Hill: A two time champion at Duke, Hill was a seven time NBA All Star. Considering his rash of injuries the fact that he played eighteen years professionally is a testament to his dedication to the game of Basketball.
Kevin Johnson: K.J. is a three time NBA All Star and a four time Second Team All NBA Selection.
Marques Johnson: Johnson was a NCAA Champion at UCLA in 1975 and was named the National College Player of the Year in 1977. He was also a five time NBA All Star.
Bobby Jones: Jones was an NBA Champion with the Sixers in 1983 and was an eight time First Team NBA All Defensive Selection. He also was a four time All Star and a Sixth Man of the Year.
Steve Nash: Easily the biggest beneficiary from the new rule change, Nash should be a first ballot inductee. The Canadian Point Guard is a former two-time MVP and an eight time All Star. He is also third all-time in Assists.
Jason Kidd: Kidd, who is now coaching the Milwaukee Bucks, was also an elite Point Guard who was a ten time All Star. Second all-time in Assists, Kidd won a title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
Sidney Moncrief: Moncrief is a two time NBA Defensive Player of the Year who also was chosen for five All Star Games. The former Milwaukee Buck was also a one time All-NBA First Team and four time All-NBA Second Team Selection.
Jack Sikma: Sikma helped Seattle win the NBA Championship in 1979 and was a seven time All Star.
Ben Wallace: Wallace was an NBA Champion with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Wallace was a four time All Star and a four time Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a two time Rebounding Champion.
Chris Webber: A legend from the University of Michigan “Fab Five”, Chris Webber also was the NBA Rookie of the Year (1994) and a five time All-NBA Selection.
Paul Westphal: Westphal won the NBA Title in 1974 with the Boston Celtics and was also a five time All Star. He also was chosen for the First Team All-NBA three times.
Quite the group of players right?
That isn’t all.
Below are the following nominees in other categories:
Coaches:
Lefty Driesell: Driesell had a coaching record of 786 and 394 and is a two time ACC Coach of the Year.
Steve Fisher: Fisher is the current Head Coach at San Diego State and won the NCAA Title in 1989 with Michigan State. He was also named the NCAA Coach of the Year in 2011.
Bill Fitch: Fitch was a two time NBA Coach of the Year and win the NBA Title with the Boston Celtics in 1981.
Cotton Fitzsimmons: A legendary figure with the Phoenix Suns, Fitzsimmons was a two time NBA Coach of the Year, one with Phoenix the other with the Kansas City Kings.
Bob Huggins: Huggins is the current Head Coach at West Virginia an has a record of 832 – 332.
Jerry “Tiger” Jones: A long time Coach in Girl’s High School Basketball. He coached in the Seattle area.
Gene Keady: A seven time Big Ten Coach of the Year and five time National Coach of the Year, Gene Keady has a career record of 550 – 289.
Ken Kern: A former Head Coach at Fort Hamilton High in Brooklyn.
Rollie Massimo: Massimo is already a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame (2013) and is still coaching at Keiser. He led Villanova to the Division I Title in 1985 and has a NCAA record of 816 – 462.
Gary McKnight: The longtime and current Head Coach at Mater Dei Varsity in Santa Ana, California.
Danny Miles: Miles was the Head Coach at Oregon Tech from 1971 to 2016 and had a record of 1,040 – 437. He won three NAIA Division II Titles.
Dick Motta: Motta coached the Washington Bullets to the 1978 Title and was also a former Coach of the Year (1971).
Jim Phelan: Phelan was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and took St. Mary’s to a title in 1962.
Lee Rose: Rose has an overall NCAA record of 228 – 105 and took the UNC Charlotte 49ers to a Final Four Appearance in 1977.
Bo Ryan: Ryan was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 and took Wisconsin-Platteville to four Division III Titles. He would later take Wisconsin to two Final Four Appearances. His overall record is 747 – 233.
Bob Saulsbury: Saulsbury was a longtime Head Coach at Wilbur Cross.
Steve Smith: From the famed Oak Hill Academy, Steve Smith has been named the USA Today National Coach of the Year four times and nine times have been declared the National High School Champions.
Harry Statham: Statham has been the Head Coach of McKendree since 1966 and has an overall record of 1,147 – 499.
Eddie Sutton: Sutton was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame and is a two time AP Coach of the Year. He has reached three Final Fours.
Rudy Tomjanovich: A five time All Star as a player, “Rudy T” took the Houston Rockets to back-to-back titles in 1994 to 1995.
Willie West: West was a longtime coach at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles.
Referees:
Irv Brown: Brown officiated six Final Fours.
Jim Burch: Burch broke the color barrier for referees in the ACC.
Hugh Evans: Evans was a referee in the NBA from 1972 to 2001. He refereed 35 NBA Finals Games.
Ed Hightower: Hightower refereed 12 Final Fours.
Jake O’Donnell: O’Donnell was an NBA ref for twenty-eight years from 1967 to 1995.
Women’s Nominees:
Leta Andrews: Andrews is the winningest United States High School Women’s Coach.
Jennifer Azzi: Azzi played for Stanford and was a member of the 1996 U.S. Women’s Gold Medal Team. She would later play in the WNBA and was a coach at the University of San Francisco.
Becky Hammon: A former six time WNBA All Star and a two time WNBA First Team Selection, Hammon made history as the first female coach of an NBA Team (San Antonio) three years ago.
Suzie McConnell-Serio: A former player at Penn State, McConnell-Serio is a former WNBA Coach of the Year and is the current Head Coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
Pearl Moore: Moore was a star in the former Women’s Professional Basketball League.
Kim Mulkey: Mulkey was a former player at Louisiana Tech and has been the Head Coach at Baylor since 2000. She has won the NCAA title twice (2005 & 2012).
Harley Redin: Redin coached Wayland Baptist University to six AAU National Titles. He compiled a 431 – 66 record over eighteen years.
Theresa Shank: Shank won back-to-back-to-back titles with Immaculata (1972-74) and has a Head Coaching record of 671 – 309.
Katie Smith: Smith was a two time WNBA Champion and a two time All-WNBA First Team Selection. She was also the scoring champion in 2001. Currently, Katie Smith is the Head Coach of the New York Liberty.
Marianne Stanley: Stanley was the 2002 WNBA Coach of the Year, though she has been mostly a valued Assistant Coach throughout her career.
Barbara Stevens: Stevens has been the Head Coach for Bentley University since 1986 after previously coaching Clark University and UMass. She has an overall record of 928 – 262 and is a five time Division II Coach of the Year.
Valerie Still: Still was a former star at the University of Kentucky.
Tina Thompson: From USC, Tina Thompson made history as the first ever WNBA Draft Pick. Thompson was a nine time WNBA All Star and four time WNBA Champion. She is also a two time Gold Medalist at the Olympics (2004 & 2008).
Wayland Baptist Women’s Team: (1953-58) This team won 131 Games in a row.
Teresa Weatherspoon: Weatherspoon won the NCAA Title in 1988 for Louisiana Tech and in the WNBA would be a four time WNBA All Star and two time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. She also won a Gold Medal at the 1988 Olympics.
Direct-Elect Category: Early African-American Pioneers Nominees:
Clarence “Puggy” Bell: Bell played for the New York Rens and was the 1939 MVP in the World Professional Basketball Tournament.
Sonny Boswell: Boswell was a former Harlem Globetrotter from 1939 to 1942 and was the MVP of the 1940 World Professional Basketball Tournament.
Chuck Cooper: Cooper was a star at Duquesne and was one of the first African-American players in the NBA. He was with the Celtics from 1950 to 1954.
Bill Garrett: Garrett made history as the first African-American player in the Big Ten when he started for the University of Indiana. He was the third black player to be drafted in the NBA and was a former Harlem Globetrotter.
Inman Jackson: Jackson was a Harlem Globetrotter from 1930 to 1945.
Clarence “Fats” Jenkins: Jenkins played for the New York Rens and also the Chicago Crusaders.
Bucky Lew: Lew started playing professionally in 1902.
Dave Minor: Minor played at UCLA and was in the NBA for three seasons in the early 1950’s.
Hudson Oliver: Oliver was a great African-American player in the early 1900’s.
Al “Runt” Pullins: Historically speaking Al “Runt” Pullins was an integral part of the growth of the Harlem Globetrotters and pound for pound was on the best players of his day.
James “Pappy” Ricks: Ricks was an original member of the New York Rens and played for them from 1932 to 1936.
Paul Robeson: A true renaissance man (Robeson was more famous for his singing), Paul Robeson was actually athletically more known for Football. In terms of hoops, Robeson played for the first all-black professional basketball team, the Commonwealth Big Five of Harlem.
Eyre Saitch: Saitch was a member of the New York Rens and was part of the first black team to win a World Championship.
Wee Willie Smith: Smith was a member of the New York Rens from 1932 to 1936 and was one of the few black players to compete in the NBL.
Direct-Elect Category: International Nominees:
Tal Brody: Brody was the 12th overall pick in the NBA but he elected to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv over his career, which lasted from 1966 to 1980. He is already a member of the Israeli Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jackie Chazalon: Chazalon played for the French National Women’s Team from 1963 to 1976. She entered the FIBA HOF in 2009.
Vlade Divac: Divac was an NBA All Star who internationally represented Yugoslavia. He won a Silver Medal in the 1988 Olympics and the FIBA World Cup in 1990 and 2002.
Alphonso Ford. An American who played at Mississippi Valley State, Ford found success in Europe and was a two time EuroLeague top scorer and Greek League MVP.
Semen Khalipski: Khalipski is a National Coach in Belarus.
Vladimir Kondrashin: Kondrashin coached the Soviet Union to a Gold Medal in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
Toni Kukoc: Known mostly for being a three time NBA Champion with the Chicago Bulls, Kukoc is also a three time EuroLeague Champion, FIBA World Cup MVP and EuroBasket MVP. He also won the Silver Medal with Yugoslavia in the 1988 Olympics and the Gold in the 1990 World Cup.
Marcos Leite: Leite represented Brazil in the 1980 & 1984 Olympics and helped his country win the Pan American Games in 1971.
Aldo Ossola: From Italy, Aldo Ossola played on seven Italian League Champions and five FIBA European Champions Cup teams.
Amaury Pasos: From Brazil, Amaury Pasos was a two time Brazilian League Champion and was a FIBA World Cup MVP in 1959.
Dan Peterson: Peterson might be an American, but it was in Italy where he made his mark in Coaching. He is a five time Italian League Champion, three time Italian Cup Champion and one time EuroLeague Champion.
Dino Radja: Radja played three and a half years for the Celtics, but in Europe he was a two time EuroLeague Champion and a EuroLeague Final Four MVP (1989). He also won two Silver Medals in the Olympics for Yugoslavia as well as a Gold in the 1990 World Cup.
Manuel Sainz: Sainz is a legendary figure in Spanish Basketball, specifically Real Madrid. Sainz was a player for the team from 1961 to 1969 and following his playing career he would work his way to become the teams Head Coach. He would also coach the Spanish National Team.
Togo Soares: Soares coached the Brazilian National Team from 1951 to 1971 and took them to a Gold Medal win in 1959 and 1963 at the FIBA World Cup. He also won a Bronze Medal in the 1960 Olympics.
Ranko Zeravica: Zeravica was the Head Coach for the Yugoslavian Men’s Team for years. He took Yugoslavia to a Gold Medal in the 1980 Olympics and to a Gold in the 1970 World Cup. He also took his country to a Silver Medal in the 1968 Olympics.
Direct-Elect Category: Contributor Nominees:
Marv Albert: Albert has been the voice of the New York Knicks for the past thirty-seven years and has worked for NBC and TNT.
Al Attles: After a successful playing career, Attles was a Coach for the Philadelphia/Golden State Warriors for thirteen years.
Dick Baumgartner: Baumgartner has been a Coach in Indiana for over 50 years.
Henry Bibby: Bibby was a two-time CBA Coach of the Year and was a former Head Coach at Stamford.
Marty Blake: Blake was the former General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks and was also the Director of Scouting for the NBA for many years.
Vic Bubas: Bubas had a career coaching record at Duke of 213-67 and was a three time ACC Coach of the Year.
Wayne Duke: Duke was the Commissioner of the Big Eight Conference (1963 to 1971) and later the Big Ten Conference (1971-88).
Harry Glickman: Glickman was a co-founder of the Portland Trail Blazers and was the team President from 1987 to 1994.
Marty Glickman: Glickman was a broadcaster for the New York Knicks and later New Jersey Nets.
Simon Gourdine: The former Deputy Commissioner of the NBA and highest ranking black official in major sports in the 1970’s.
Curt Gowdy: Gowdy broadcast many games for NBC both in pro games and college.
Tim Grgurich: Grgurich was a former Head Coach at the University of Pittsburgh and was also a long time Assistant in the NBA.
Del Harris: Harris was named the NBA Coach of the Year with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1995.
Greg Heineman: Heineman is the owner of the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Robert Indiana: Indiana painted the court that the Milwaukee Bucks had at the MECCA Arena.
Johnny “Red” Kerr: A three time NBA All Star, Kerr would be the Coach of the Year in 1967 with the Bulls. He would broadcast for the Bulls for twenty-two years.
Bill King: Along with being the voice of the Oakland Raiders and the Oakland Athletics, Bill King was also the play by play announcer for the Golden State Warriors in the 60’s and 70’s.
John Kline: A former Harlem Globetrotter John Kline founded the Black Legends of Professional Basketball in 1966.
Red Klotz: A champion with the Baltimore Bullets in 1948, Red Klotz formed and played for the Washington Generals.
Jack McCloskey: A Head Coach at Penn (1956-66), Wake Forest (1966-72) and the Portland Trail Blazers (1972-74), “Trader” Jack McCloskey was far more known for his role as a General Manager for Portland and the Detroit Pistons. McCloskey Would build the team in Detroit that was a mini-dynasty.
Jerry McHale: A noted orthotic doctor who has worked a lot with NBA players.
Johnny Most: Most was the radio voice of the Boston Celtics from 1953 to 1990.
Dennis Murphy: Murphy co-founded the American Basketball Association.
Joe O’Toole: O’Toole is considered to be the catalyst for the creation of the National Basketball Trainers Association.
Billy Packer: Packer has been one of the most known College Basketball Analysts over the past thirty years.
Jack Powers: Powers played for the Manhattan Jaspers, and would later become their Coach and then their Athletic Director.
Dee Rowe: Rowe used to be the Head Coach at the University of Connecticut from 1969 to 1977 and following that he remained a part of the institution for decades.
Zelda Spoelstra: Spoelstra had worked for the NBA for decades serving in multiple duties.
Rod Thorn: Thorn was an NBA Player for eight years and an NBA Coach for another eight. Afterwards he was the NBA’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations but would leave to GM the Nets where he would become the Executive of the Year in 2002. He is currently the NBA President of Basketball of Operations.
Jim Valvano: “Jimmy V” famously coached NC State to the 1983 Division I Championship. His overall coaching record was 346 – 210.
Donnie Walsh: Walsh is currently the President of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Pacers and had that role with the New York Knicks previously.
Rick Welts: Welts is the current President and Chief of Operations for the Golden State Warriors. Previously he worked for the NBA and is credited for the creation of the NBA All Star Weekend and the marketing of the 1992 U.S. Dream Team.
Direct-Elect Category: Veterans Nominees:
1936 United States Olympic Team: The ’36 team won Gold at the Berlin Olympics.
1964 State Department Basketball Ambassadors.
Ron Boone: Boone was a four time ABA All Star and ABA Champion in 1971.
Sid Borgia: Borgia was a referee in the NBA from 1946 to 1964. He would later serve as the Chief of Officials the next two years.
Carl Braun: Braun was a five time NBA All Star.
Frank Brian: Brian was a star at LSU and would later be a two time NBA All Star.
Joe Caldwell: Caldwell was a two time NBA All Star and also a two time ABA All Star.
Mack Calvin: Calvin was a five time ABA All Star who was also a member of the ABA All Time Team.
Jack Coleman: A one time NBA All Star, Coleman was a two time NBA Champion, one with Rochester and one with St. Louis.
Bob Dandridge: A two time NBA Champion (one with Milwaukee and one with Washington) Bob Dandridge also was a four time All Star.
Charles Eckman: Eckman was the Head Coach for the Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons from 1954 to 1957.
Leroy Edwards: Edwards was a three time NBL Scoring Champion and two time NBL Champion.
Leo Ferris: Credited with creating the 24 second shot clock, Ferris also was the founder of the Buffalo Bisons, which evolved into the Atlanta Hawks.
Clarence “Bevo” Francis: Francis was an elite scorer at Rio Grande in the early 50’s.
Buck Freeman: Freeman was the longtime coach of St. John’s University.
Donnie Freeman: Freeman was an ABA Champion with the Indiana Pacers in 1973 and was also a five time ABA All Star.
Travis Grant: Grant was at one time the highest scorer in NCAA history during his career at Kentucky State. He is already in the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bob Grody: Grody played in various leagues in the 1920’s and 30’s.
Robert Harrison: Harrison was a three time NBA Champion with the Minneapolis Lakers and was also an All Star in 1956.
Flo Harvey: Harvey played for multiple teams in the Rhode Island area in the 1900’s to 20’s.
Dick Hemric: Hemric was an NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics in 1957 and was also a two-time ACC Player of the Year.
Cam Henderson: Hendeson (who was also a Football Coach) coached college hoops from 1919 to 1955 and would win the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship in 1947.
Robert Hopkins: Hopkins was a major star at Grambling State in the mid 1950’s.
Lou Hudson: Hudson was a six time All Star who spent the bulk of his career with the St.Louis/Atlanta Hawks.
Warren Jabali: Jabali was an ABA Champion and Playoff MVP with the Oakland Oaks in 1969. He was also a four time ABA All Star.
Jimmy Jones: Jones was a six time ABA All Star and three time First Team All-ABA Selection.
Charles Keinath: Kenaith was a four time All-American at Penn and was the Helms National Player of the Year in 2008.
Freddie Lewis: Lewis was a three time ABA Champion with the Indiana Pacers and a four time ABA All Star. He was also the 1972 ABA Playoff MVP.
Jim Loscutoff: Loscutoff played for the Boston Celtics from 1955 to 1964 and won seven NBA Titles.
Loyola of Chicago:
Billy Markward: Markward played professionally in the 1900’s and would coach the Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia for forty years after. He would win twenty championships as a Coach.
Ed McCluskey: McCluskey was the very successful Head Coach at Farrell High School in Pennsylvania.
Ray Mears: Mears had a career coaching record of 399 – 135 in a combined career with Wittenberg and the University of Tennessee.
Francis Meehan: Francis “Stretch” Meehan was a pro from the mid-10’s to the late 20’s and at 6’ 7’’ was one of the first tall men in the game.
Dudley Moore: Moore was the Head Coach at Duquesne from 1948 to 1958 and would take the team to the NIT Title in 1955. Also coaching at LaSalle from ’58 to 1963, Moore had an overall record of 270 – 107.
Willie Naulls: Naulls was a star at UCLA and would become a three time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics. Naulls would also be a four time All Star.
Philadelphia Sphas: The team existed from 1917 to 1955 and would win 10 Championships.
Mel Riebe: Riebe was the 1944 NBL Rookie of the Year and was also a two time NBL Scoring Champion (1944 & 1945).
Glenn Roberts: Roberts was one of the first players to utilize the jump shot and was also a Champion in the NBL in 1939.
Holcombe Rucker: Rucker founded the New York City pro-am basketball tournament in Harlem.
Kenny Sailors: An NCAA Champion and Tournament Outstanding Player from 1943 Kenny Sailors was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Fred Schaus: Schaus was an All Star as a Fort Wayne Piston in 1954 and would have a long career in College and the Pros where he led Purdue to a NIT Title and had a seven year run helming the Lakers. He was also a four time Southern Conference Coach of the Year at West Virginia. In addition, he has an NBA Championship ring as an executive from the Lakers Title win in 1972.
Charlie Scott: Charlie Scott was chosen for five All Star Games; two in the ABA and three in the NBA. Scott was also the ABA Rookie of the Year (1971) and was a champion in the NBA with the Boston Celtics (1976).
Kenny Sears: Sears was a two time All Star and holds the distinction of being the first basketball player to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Frank Selvy: A two time NBA All Star, Frank Selvy holds the record for the most points in a NCAA Division I Game with 100. Naturally, he is a two time NCAA Division I Scoring Champion.
George Senesky: Senesky was Division I Scoring Champion at St. Joseph’s (1943) and was a BAA Champion with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1947. He would later be the team’s Head Coach and won the NBA Title in 1956.
Charles Siler: Siler was part of the origin of the game contributing with the developing the rules of the game.
Talvin Skinner: Skinner was a rebounding machine at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Professional he played three years with the Seattle SuperSonics.
Ken Suesens: Suesens played for Sheboygan in the NBL for eleven years and was a champion in 1943.
Tennessee A&I:
Dick Van Arsdale: Van Arsdale was a three time NBA All Star with the Phoenix Suns.
Tom Van Arsdale: The twin of Dick Van Arsdale, Tom was also a three time All Star. His was with Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City Kings.
Willie Wise: Wise was an ABA Champion 1971 with the Utah Stars and was a three time ABA All Star.
Max Zaslofsky: Zaslofsky was a four time All-NBA First Team Selection (1947-50) and was the Scoring Champion in 1948.
The Finalists will be announced during NBA All Star Weekend and during the Final Four the Class of 2018 will be announced.
With all of these changes, we look to revise our Notinhalloffame.com Basketball List by the end of this year.
Let’s get right to the nominees for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018:
Oh…and be patient…It is quite the long list
Players (North American Committee):
Mark Aguirre: Aguirre is a two time NBA Champion with the Pistons and was also a three time NBA All Star. In 1980 at DePaul he was named the Naismith College Player of the Year.
Ray Allen: The king of the three point shot is a two time NBA Champion
(Boston 2008 & Miami 2013) and is 24th all-time in scoring. Allen was also a ten time All Star and was the 1996 Big East Player of the Year.
Chauncey Billups: The motor of the surprise Detroit Pistons 2004 NBA Title team and a seven time All Star. He was the Finals MVP in ’04.
Muggsy Bogues: Bogues was a fifteen year NBA veteran most notably with the Charlotte Hornets.
Maurice Cheeks: Cheeks won the NBA Title with the Sixers in 1983 and was a four time All Star. He was also a four time First Team All-Defensive Selection.
Richard Hamilton: “Rip” was another member of the 2004 Detroit Pistons team and was a NCAA Champion and Most Outstanding Player of the 1999 Tournament.
Tim Hardaway: A five time NBA All Star, Tim Hardaway was also a five time All-NBA Selection.
Grant Hill: A two time champion at Duke, Hill was a seven time NBA All Star. Considering his rash of injuries the fact that he played eighteen years professionally is a testament to his dedication to the game of Basketball.
Kevin Johnson: K.J. is a three time NBA All Star and a four time Second Team All NBA Selection.
Marques Johnson: Johnson was a NCAA Champion at UCLA in 1975 and was named the National College Player of the Year in 1977. He was also a five time NBA All Star.
Bobby Jones: Jones was an NBA Champion with the Sixers in 1983 and was an eight time First Team NBA All Defensive Selection. He also was a four time All Star and a Sixth Man of the Year.
Steve Nash: Easily the biggest beneficiary from the new rule change, Nash should be a first ballot inductee. The Canadian Point Guard is a former two-time MVP and an eight time All Star. He is also third all-time in Assists.
Jason Kidd: Kidd, who is now coaching the Milwaukee Bucks, was also an elite Point Guard who was a ten time All Star. Second all-time in Assists, Kidd won a title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
Sidney Moncrief: Moncrief is a two time NBA Defensive Player of the Year who also was chosen for five All Star Games. The former Milwaukee Buck was also a one time All-NBA First Team and four time All-NBA Second Team Selection.
Jack Sikma: Sikma helped Seattle win the NBA Championship in 1979 and was a seven time All Star.
Ben Wallace: Wallace was an NBA Champion with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Wallace was a four time All Star and a four time Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a two time Rebounding Champion.
Chris Webber: A legend from the University of Michigan “Fab Five”, Chris Webber also was the NBA Rookie of the Year (1994) and a five time All-NBA Selection.
Paul Westphal: Westphal won the NBA Title in 1974 with the Boston Celtics and was also a five time All Star. He also was chosen for the First Team All-NBA three times.
Quite the group of players right?
That isn’t all.
Below are the following nominees in other categories:
Coaches:
Lefty Driesell: Driesell had a coaching record of 786 and 394 and is a two time ACC Coach of the Year.
Steve Fisher: Fisher is the current Head Coach at San Diego State and won the NCAA Title in 1989 with Michigan State. He was also named the NCAA Coach of the Year in 2011.
Bill Fitch: Fitch was a two time NBA Coach of the Year and win the NBA Title with the Boston Celtics in 1981.
Cotton Fitzsimmons: A legendary figure with the Phoenix Suns, Fitzsimmons was a two time NBA Coach of the Year, one with Phoenix the other with the Kansas City Kings.
Bob Huggins: Huggins is the current Head Coach at West Virginia an has a record of 832 – 332.
Jerry “Tiger” Jones: A long time Coach in Girl’s High School Basketball. He coached in the Seattle area.
Gene Keady: A seven time Big Ten Coach of the Year and five time National Coach of the Year, Gene Keady has a career record of 550 – 289.
Ken Kern: A former Head Coach at Fort Hamilton High in Brooklyn.
Rollie Massimo: Massimo is already a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame (2013) and is still coaching at Keiser. He led Villanova to the Division I Title in 1985 and has a NCAA record of 816 – 462.
Gary McKnight: The longtime and current Head Coach at Mater Dei Varsity in Santa Ana, California.
Danny Miles: Miles was the Head Coach at Oregon Tech from 1971 to 2016 and had a record of 1,040 – 437. He won three NAIA Division II Titles.
Dick Motta: Motta coached the Washington Bullets to the 1978 Title and was also a former Coach of the Year (1971).
Jim Phelan: Phelan was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and took St. Mary’s to a title in 1962.
Lee Rose: Rose has an overall NCAA record of 228 – 105 and took the UNC Charlotte 49ers to a Final Four Appearance in 1977.
Bo Ryan: Ryan was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 and took Wisconsin-Platteville to four Division III Titles. He would later take Wisconsin to two Final Four Appearances. His overall record is 747 – 233.
Bob Saulsbury: Saulsbury was a longtime Head Coach at Wilbur Cross.
Steve Smith: From the famed Oak Hill Academy, Steve Smith has been named the USA Today National Coach of the Year four times and nine times have been declared the National High School Champions.
Harry Statham: Statham has been the Head Coach of McKendree since 1966 and has an overall record of 1,147 – 499.
Eddie Sutton: Sutton was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame and is a two time AP Coach of the Year. He has reached three Final Fours.
Rudy Tomjanovich: A five time All Star as a player, “Rudy T” took the Houston Rockets to back-to-back titles in 1994 to 1995.
Willie West: West was a longtime coach at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles.
Referees:
Irv Brown: Brown officiated six Final Fours.
Jim Burch: Burch broke the color barrier for referees in the ACC.
Hugh Evans: Evans was a referee in the NBA from 1972 to 2001. He refereed 35 NBA Finals Games.
Ed Hightower: Hightower refereed 12 Final Fours.
Jake O’Donnell: O’Donnell was an NBA ref for twenty-eight years from 1967 to 1995.
Women’s Nominees:
Leta Andrews: Andrews is the winningest United States High School Women’s Coach.
Jennifer Azzi: Azzi played for Stanford and was a member of the 1996 U.S. Women’s Gold Medal Team. She would later play in the WNBA and was a coach at the University of San Francisco.
Becky Hammon: A former six time WNBA All Star and a two time WNBA First Team Selection, Hammon made history as the first female coach of an NBA Team (San Antonio) three years ago.
Suzie McConnell-Serio: A former player at Penn State, McConnell-Serio is a former WNBA Coach of the Year and is the current Head Coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
Pearl Moore: Moore was a star in the former Women’s Professional Basketball League.
Kim Mulkey: Mulkey was a former player at Louisiana Tech and has been the Head Coach at Baylor since 2000. She has won the NCAA title twice (2005 & 2012).
Harley Redin: Redin coached Wayland Baptist University to six AAU National Titles. He compiled a 431 – 66 record over eighteen years.
Theresa Shank: Shank won back-to-back-to-back titles with Immaculata (1972-74) and has a Head Coaching record of 671 – 309.
Katie Smith: Smith was a two time WNBA Champion and a two time All-WNBA First Team Selection. She was also the scoring champion in 2001. Currently, Katie Smith is the Head Coach of the New York Liberty.
Marianne Stanley: Stanley was the 2002 WNBA Coach of the Year, though she has been mostly a valued Assistant Coach throughout her career.
Barbara Stevens: Stevens has been the Head Coach for Bentley University since 1986 after previously coaching Clark University and UMass. She has an overall record of 928 – 262 and is a five time Division II Coach of the Year.
Valerie Still: Still was a former star at the University of Kentucky.
Tina Thompson: From USC, Tina Thompson made history as the first ever WNBA Draft Pick. Thompson was a nine time WNBA All Star and four time WNBA Champion. She is also a two time Gold Medalist at the Olympics (2004 & 2008).
Wayland Baptist Women’s Team: (1953-58) This team won 131 Games in a row.
Teresa Weatherspoon: Weatherspoon won the NCAA Title in 1988 for Louisiana Tech and in the WNBA would be a four time WNBA All Star and two time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. She also won a Gold Medal at the 1988 Olympics.
Direct-Elect Category: Early African-American Pioneers Nominees:
Clarence “Puggy” Bell: Bell played for the New York Rens and was the 1939 MVP in the World Professional Basketball Tournament.
Sonny Boswell: Boswell was a former Harlem Globetrotter from 1939 to 1942 and was the MVP of the 1940 World Professional Basketball Tournament.
Chuck Cooper: Cooper was a star at Duquesne and was one of the first African-American players in the NBA. He was with the Celtics from 1950 to 1954.
Bill Garrett: Garrett made history as the first African-American player in the Big Ten when he started for the University of Indiana. He was the third black player to be drafted in the NBA and was a former Harlem Globetrotter.
Inman Jackson: Jackson was a Harlem Globetrotter from 1930 to 1945.
Clarence “Fats” Jenkins: Jenkins played for the New York Rens and also the Chicago Crusaders.
Bucky Lew: Lew started playing professionally in 1902.
Dave Minor: Minor played at UCLA and was in the NBA for three seasons in the early 1950’s.
Hudson Oliver: Oliver was a great African-American player in the early 1900’s.
Al “Runt” Pullins: Historically speaking Al “Runt” Pullins was an integral part of the growth of the Harlem Globetrotters and pound for pound was on the best players of his day.
James “Pappy” Ricks: Ricks was an original member of the New York Rens and played for them from 1932 to 1936.
Paul Robeson: A true renaissance man (Robeson was more famous for his singing), Paul Robeson was actually athletically more known for Football. In terms of hoops, Robeson played for the first all-black professional basketball team, the Commonwealth Big Five of Harlem.
Eyre Saitch: Saitch was a member of the New York Rens and was part of the first black team to win a World Championship.
Wee Willie Smith: Smith was a member of the New York Rens from 1932 to 1936 and was one of the few black players to compete in the NBL.
Direct-Elect Category: International Nominees:
Tal Brody: Brody was the 12th overall pick in the NBA but he elected to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv over his career, which lasted from 1966 to 1980. He is already a member of the Israeli Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jackie Chazalon: Chazalon played for the French National Women’s Team from 1963 to 1976. She entered the FIBA HOF in 2009.
Vlade Divac: Divac was an NBA All Star who internationally represented Yugoslavia. He won a Silver Medal in the 1988 Olympics and the FIBA World Cup in 1990 and 2002.
Alphonso Ford. An American who played at Mississippi Valley State, Ford found success in Europe and was a two time EuroLeague top scorer and Greek League MVP.
Semen Khalipski: Khalipski is a National Coach in Belarus.
Vladimir Kondrashin: Kondrashin coached the Soviet Union to a Gold Medal in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
Toni Kukoc: Known mostly for being a three time NBA Champion with the Chicago Bulls, Kukoc is also a three time EuroLeague Champion, FIBA World Cup MVP and EuroBasket MVP. He also won the Silver Medal with Yugoslavia in the 1988 Olympics and the Gold in the 1990 World Cup.
Marcos Leite: Leite represented Brazil in the 1980 & 1984 Olympics and helped his country win the Pan American Games in 1971.
Aldo Ossola: From Italy, Aldo Ossola played on seven Italian League Champions and five FIBA European Champions Cup teams.
Amaury Pasos: From Brazil, Amaury Pasos was a two time Brazilian League Champion and was a FIBA World Cup MVP in 1959.
Dan Peterson: Peterson might be an American, but it was in Italy where he made his mark in Coaching. He is a five time Italian League Champion, three time Italian Cup Champion and one time EuroLeague Champion.
Dino Radja: Radja played three and a half years for the Celtics, but in Europe he was a two time EuroLeague Champion and a EuroLeague Final Four MVP (1989). He also won two Silver Medals in the Olympics for Yugoslavia as well as a Gold in the 1990 World Cup.
Manuel Sainz: Sainz is a legendary figure in Spanish Basketball, specifically Real Madrid. Sainz was a player for the team from 1961 to 1969 and following his playing career he would work his way to become the teams Head Coach. He would also coach the Spanish National Team.
Togo Soares: Soares coached the Brazilian National Team from 1951 to 1971 and took them to a Gold Medal win in 1959 and 1963 at the FIBA World Cup. He also won a Bronze Medal in the 1960 Olympics.
Ranko Zeravica: Zeravica was the Head Coach for the Yugoslavian Men’s Team for years. He took Yugoslavia to a Gold Medal in the 1980 Olympics and to a Gold in the 1970 World Cup. He also took his country to a Silver Medal in the 1968 Olympics.
Direct-Elect Category: Contributor Nominees:
Marv Albert: Albert has been the voice of the New York Knicks for the past thirty-seven years and has worked for NBC and TNT.
Al Attles: After a successful playing career, Attles was a Coach for the Philadelphia/Golden State Warriors for thirteen years.
Dick Baumgartner: Baumgartner has been a Coach in Indiana for over 50 years.
Henry Bibby: Bibby was a two-time CBA Coach of the Year and was a former Head Coach at Stamford.
Marty Blake: Blake was the former General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks and was also the Director of Scouting for the NBA for many years.
Vic Bubas: Bubas had a career coaching record at Duke of 213-67 and was a three time ACC Coach of the Year.
Wayne Duke: Duke was the Commissioner of the Big Eight Conference (1963 to 1971) and later the Big Ten Conference (1971-88).
Harry Glickman: Glickman was a co-founder of the Portland Trail Blazers and was the team President from 1987 to 1994.
Marty Glickman: Glickman was a broadcaster for the New York Knicks and later New Jersey Nets.
Simon Gourdine: The former Deputy Commissioner of the NBA and highest ranking black official in major sports in the 1970’s.
Curt Gowdy: Gowdy broadcast many games for NBC both in pro games and college.
Tim Grgurich: Grgurich was a former Head Coach at the University of Pittsburgh and was also a long time Assistant in the NBA.
Del Harris: Harris was named the NBA Coach of the Year with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1995.
Greg Heineman: Heineman is the owner of the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Robert Indiana: Indiana painted the court that the Milwaukee Bucks had at the MECCA Arena.
Johnny “Red” Kerr: A three time NBA All Star, Kerr would be the Coach of the Year in 1967 with the Bulls. He would broadcast for the Bulls for twenty-two years.
Bill King: Along with being the voice of the Oakland Raiders and the Oakland Athletics, Bill King was also the play by play announcer for the Golden State Warriors in the 60’s and 70’s.
John Kline: A former Harlem Globetrotter John Kline founded the Black Legends of Professional Basketball in 1966.
Red Klotz: A champion with the Baltimore Bullets in 1948, Red Klotz formed and played for the Washington Generals.
Jack McCloskey: A Head Coach at Penn (1956-66), Wake Forest (1966-72) and the Portland Trail Blazers (1972-74), “Trader” Jack McCloskey was far more known for his role as a General Manager for Portland and the Detroit Pistons. McCloskey Would build the team in Detroit that was a mini-dynasty.
Jerry McHale: A noted orthotic doctor who has worked a lot with NBA players.
Johnny Most: Most was the radio voice of the Boston Celtics from 1953 to 1990.
Dennis Murphy: Murphy co-founded the American Basketball Association.
Joe O’Toole: O’Toole is considered to be the catalyst for the creation of the National Basketball Trainers Association.
Billy Packer: Packer has been one of the most known College Basketball Analysts over the past thirty years.
Jack Powers: Powers played for the Manhattan Jaspers, and would later become their Coach and then their Athletic Director.
Dee Rowe: Rowe used to be the Head Coach at the University of Connecticut from 1969 to 1977 and following that he remained a part of the institution for decades.
Zelda Spoelstra: Spoelstra had worked for the NBA for decades serving in multiple duties.
Rod Thorn: Thorn was an NBA Player for eight years and an NBA Coach for another eight. Afterwards he was the NBA’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations but would leave to GM the Nets where he would become the Executive of the Year in 2002. He is currently the NBA President of Basketball of Operations.
Jim Valvano: “Jimmy V” famously coached NC State to the 1983 Division I Championship. His overall coaching record was 346 – 210.
Donnie Walsh: Walsh is currently the President of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Pacers and had that role with the New York Knicks previously.
Rick Welts: Welts is the current President and Chief of Operations for the Golden State Warriors. Previously he worked for the NBA and is credited for the creation of the NBA All Star Weekend and the marketing of the 1992 U.S. Dream Team.
Direct-Elect Category: Veterans Nominees:
1936 United States Olympic Team: The ’36 team won Gold at the Berlin Olympics.
1964 State Department Basketball Ambassadors.
Ron Boone: Boone was a four time ABA All Star and ABA Champion in 1971.
Sid Borgia: Borgia was a referee in the NBA from 1946 to 1964. He would later serve as the Chief of Officials the next two years.
Carl Braun: Braun was a five time NBA All Star.
Frank Brian: Brian was a star at LSU and would later be a two time NBA All Star.
Joe Caldwell: Caldwell was a two time NBA All Star and also a two time ABA All Star.
Mack Calvin: Calvin was a five time ABA All Star who was also a member of the ABA All Time Team.
Jack Coleman: A one time NBA All Star, Coleman was a two time NBA Champion, one with Rochester and one with St. Louis.
Bob Dandridge: A two time NBA Champion (one with Milwaukee and one with Washington) Bob Dandridge also was a four time All Star.
Charles Eckman: Eckman was the Head Coach for the Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons from 1954 to 1957.
Leroy Edwards: Edwards was a three time NBL Scoring Champion and two time NBL Champion.
Leo Ferris: Credited with creating the 24 second shot clock, Ferris also was the founder of the Buffalo Bisons, which evolved into the Atlanta Hawks.
Clarence “Bevo” Francis: Francis was an elite scorer at Rio Grande in the early 50’s.
Buck Freeman: Freeman was the longtime coach of St. John’s University.
Donnie Freeman: Freeman was an ABA Champion with the Indiana Pacers in 1973 and was also a five time ABA All Star.
Travis Grant: Grant was at one time the highest scorer in NCAA history during his career at Kentucky State. He is already in the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bob Grody: Grody played in various leagues in the 1920’s and 30’s.
Robert Harrison: Harrison was a three time NBA Champion with the Minneapolis Lakers and was also an All Star in 1956.
Flo Harvey: Harvey played for multiple teams in the Rhode Island area in the 1900’s to 20’s.
Dick Hemric: Hemric was an NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics in 1957 and was also a two-time ACC Player of the Year.
Cam Henderson: Hendeson (who was also a Football Coach) coached college hoops from 1919 to 1955 and would win the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship in 1947.
Robert Hopkins: Hopkins was a major star at Grambling State in the mid 1950’s.
Lou Hudson: Hudson was a six time All Star who spent the bulk of his career with the St.Louis/Atlanta Hawks.
Warren Jabali: Jabali was an ABA Champion and Playoff MVP with the Oakland Oaks in 1969. He was also a four time ABA All Star.
Jimmy Jones: Jones was a six time ABA All Star and three time First Team All-ABA Selection.
Charles Keinath: Kenaith was a four time All-American at Penn and was the Helms National Player of the Year in 2008.
Freddie Lewis: Lewis was a three time ABA Champion with the Indiana Pacers and a four time ABA All Star. He was also the 1972 ABA Playoff MVP.
Jim Loscutoff: Loscutoff played for the Boston Celtics from 1955 to 1964 and won seven NBA Titles.
Loyola of Chicago:
Billy Markward: Markward played professionally in the 1900’s and would coach the Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia for forty years after. He would win twenty championships as a Coach.
Ed McCluskey: McCluskey was the very successful Head Coach at Farrell High School in Pennsylvania.
Ray Mears: Mears had a career coaching record of 399 – 135 in a combined career with Wittenberg and the University of Tennessee.
Francis Meehan: Francis “Stretch” Meehan was a pro from the mid-10’s to the late 20’s and at 6’ 7’’ was one of the first tall men in the game.
Dudley Moore: Moore was the Head Coach at Duquesne from 1948 to 1958 and would take the team to the NIT Title in 1955. Also coaching at LaSalle from ’58 to 1963, Moore had an overall record of 270 – 107.
Willie Naulls: Naulls was a star at UCLA and would become a three time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics. Naulls would also be a four time All Star.
Philadelphia Sphas: The team existed from 1917 to 1955 and would win 10 Championships.
Mel Riebe: Riebe was the 1944 NBL Rookie of the Year and was also a two time NBL Scoring Champion (1944 & 1945).
Glenn Roberts: Roberts was one of the first players to utilize the jump shot and was also a Champion in the NBL in 1939.
Holcombe Rucker: Rucker founded the New York City pro-am basketball tournament in Harlem.
Kenny Sailors: An NCAA Champion and Tournament Outstanding Player from 1943 Kenny Sailors was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Fred Schaus: Schaus was an All Star as a Fort Wayne Piston in 1954 and would have a long career in College and the Pros where he led Purdue to a NIT Title and had a seven year run helming the Lakers. He was also a four time Southern Conference Coach of the Year at West Virginia. In addition, he has an NBA Championship ring as an executive from the Lakers Title win in 1972.
Charlie Scott: Charlie Scott was chosen for five All Star Games; two in the ABA and three in the NBA. Scott was also the ABA Rookie of the Year (1971) and was a champion in the NBA with the Boston Celtics (1976).
Kenny Sears: Sears was a two time All Star and holds the distinction of being the first basketball player to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Frank Selvy: A two time NBA All Star, Frank Selvy holds the record for the most points in a NCAA Division I Game with 100. Naturally, he is a two time NCAA Division I Scoring Champion.
George Senesky: Senesky was Division I Scoring Champion at St. Joseph’s (1943) and was a BAA Champion with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1947. He would later be the team’s Head Coach and won the NBA Title in 1956.
Charles Siler: Siler was part of the origin of the game contributing with the developing the rules of the game.
Talvin Skinner: Skinner was a rebounding machine at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Professional he played three years with the Seattle SuperSonics.
Ken Suesens: Suesens played for Sheboygan in the NBL for eleven years and was a champion in 1943.
Tennessee A&I:
Dick Van Arsdale: Van Arsdale was a three time NBA All Star with the Phoenix Suns.
Tom Van Arsdale: The twin of Dick Van Arsdale, Tom was also a three time All Star. His was with Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City Kings.
Willie Wise: Wise was an ABA Champion 1971 with the Utah Stars and was a three time ABA All Star.
Max Zaslofsky: Zaslofsky was a four time All-NBA First Team Selection (1947-50) and was the Scoring Champion in 1948.
The Finalists will be announced during NBA All Star Weekend and during the Final Four the Class of 2018 will be announced.
With all of these changes, we look to revise our Notinhalloffame.com Basketball List by the end of this year.
The Basketball HOF changes eligibility requirements the day before they announce the Finalists
Dec 20, 2017
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
We did not see this coming.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame dropped what is for us a bombshell and frankly we here at Notinhalloffame.com wished we had a bit of a heads up!
On Thursday, The Basketball Hall of Fame will announce the finalists for their institution but there will likely be candidates that we did not expect to see as they have now announced that former players need only to have retired for three years to be eligible. This will mean that former MVP Steve Nash is now HOF eligible.
We apologize as since we just learned of this change, our Notinhalloffame Basketball list will not be up to date, and we will work on changes as soon as we can.
We thank you in advance for your understanding.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame dropped what is for us a bombshell and frankly we here at Notinhalloffame.com wished we had a bit of a heads up!
On Thursday, The Basketball Hall of Fame will announce the finalists for their institution but there will likely be candidates that we did not expect to see as they have now announced that former players need only to have retired for three years to be eligible. This will mean that former MVP Steve Nash is now HOF eligible.
We apologize as since we just learned of this change, our Notinhalloffame Basketball list will not be up to date, and we will work on changes as soon as we can.
We thank you in advance for your understanding.