NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Among Eight Finalists Shortlisted For Basketball Hall Of Fame

Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star in his first year of eligibility, is all set to join an elite list of basketball greats by being enshrined at the honour shrine in Springfield, Massachusetts.

New Delhi: Five-time NBA champion and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who got tragically killed in a helicopter crash in US last month , was one among the eight finalists named on Friday for 2020 induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star in his first year of eligibility, is all set to join an elite list of basketball greats by being enshrined at the honour shrine in Springfield, Massachusetts. The announcement of Hall of Fame inductees will be April 4 in Atlanta at the US college “Final Four” with 18 of 24 votes from the Honours Committee needed to join the select list. Enshrinement will take place at ceremonies in Springfield from August 28-30.

One step closer to Springfield. #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/ojR8iHpcwD

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 14, 2020

Other first-time finalists include 15-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Tim Duncan, 15-time NBA All-Star and nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection Kevin Garnett and 10-time Women’s NBA All-Star and four-time Olympic champion Tamika Catchings. Prior finalists with another chance include US college coaches Kim Mulkey, Barbara Stevens, Eddie Sutton and two-time NBA champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich. Bryant’s tragic death at age 41, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, has had an impact on the Hall of Fame selections.