Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups highlight 2024 Hall of Fame class
Final Four Saturday started with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024 announcement in Glendale, Arizona. The 13 honorees include former NBA stars Chauncey Billups (now the Portland Trail Blazers' head coach), dunk specialist Vince Carter, former Los Angeles Lakers defensive guru Michael Cooper, and Phoenix Suns legend Walter Davis.
Carter, an eight-time All-Star who scored 25,728 points over 22 seasons, found the day to be extremely emotional.
"It's mind-blowing for me," said Carter, the 1999 Rookie of the Year with the Toronto Raptors. "I enjoyed playing the game of basketball every day. I'm just overjoyed."
Billups was nicknamed "Mr. Big Shot" as a player because of his clutch play. Billups was a five-time All-Star and the MVP of the 2004 NBA Finals, leading the Detroit Pistons to the championship.
"It really is crazy," said Billups, who played 17 NBA seasons. "I've spent a lot of the past few days being speechless knowing I was going into what I call 'Basketball Heaven.'"
Cooper was one of the NBA's best defenders for 12 seasons. He was a member of five championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis was a six-time All-Star in 15 NBA seasons. The 1978 Rookie of the Year remains the Phoenix Suns' all-time leading scorer (15,666 points).
Former New York Knicks star Dick Barnett was also inducted.
Former Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan and Louisiana high school coaching legend Charles Smith are set to be inducted as coaches. Ryan won 747 games in his college coaching career, while Smith won nine Louisiana high school championships.
Seimone Augustus, a four-time WNBA champion and eight-time All-Star, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The late Harley Redin, who coached the Wayland Baptist women for 18 seasons, will also be inducted.
The Hall of Fame's International Committee chose Michelle Timms, a former WNBA star. Former coach, player, and broadcaster Doug Collins, Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon, and player/executive Jerry West were all named contributors.
West is the first Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame member to be inducted both as a player and a contributor.
The induction ceremonies will take place on August 16 and 17 in Springfield, Massachusetts and Uncasville, Connecticut.
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