The Basketball Hall of Fame has announced their latest Class for 2015.
As all of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com only rank players and have not yet branched out to coaches and administrators, thus there are no rankings associated with coaches, but let’s take a look at those who will be inducted into the Class of 2015!
Dikembe Mutombo, who was eligible for the first time this year, rocketed to the top of our rankings. The four time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and master of the block will be this year’s headliner (in our eyes). Mutombo led the NBA in Blocks five times and in Rebounds four times.
After being told two years ago that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Spencer Haywood has finally made it in. Haywood was a controversial figure challenging the restrictions of the NBA and joined the ABA, becoming their MVP in his rookie year. Haywood would go on to become a two time First Team All NBA Selection and would win a championship ring with the Los Angeles Lakers late in his career.
Jo Jo White was also chosen to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame. White was a two time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics and was a seven time All Star.
As leaked on Sunday, current University of Kentucky Head Coach, John Calipari was chosen for induction, though this is a small consolation for his team having been eliminated by Wisconsin in the semi-finals of The Final Four. Calipari won the NCAA Title with the Kentucky Wildcats in 2012 and made the Final Four five times with Kentucky, UMass and Memphis. His overall College Coaching Record is 593 and 174 and he is a three time Naismith Coach of the Year.
Lisa Leslie will also be enshrined. Leslie is a four time Olympic Gold Medalist, a two time WNBA Champion and a three time WNBA MVP and is considered to be one of the best female players of all time.
Former NBA referee, Dick Bavetta was also chosen for the Hall of Fame.
Former players, Tim Hardaway and Kevin Johnson were not chosen. Bo Ryan, the head coach of the University of Wisconsin did not get in either, but this year’s performance by the Badgers should help his future candidacy. Former two time NBA Coach of the Year, Bill Fitch, former High Scholl Basketball Coaches, Robert Hughes and Leta Andrews also were not chosen.
Former Head Coach, Tom Heinsohn, ABA standout, Louie Dampier, Australian player/coach Lindsey Gaze, coach George Raveling and basketball pioneer John Isaacs were direct elected earlier in the year.
Although the popularity of basketball continues to rise, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has not risen accordingly, mostly due to the lack of understanding from the public as to what the process is for induction and how collegiate accomplishments seem to carry as much weight as professional.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this year’s class and we will be unveiling the newest Notinhalloffame.com basketball list in roughly five weeks.
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