Finalists for the 2018 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class were announced on Saturday, with this year’s group being one of the more loaded groups in recent memory.
Ray Allen, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash were among the names announced at the ceremony. Others announced were Grant Hill, Chris Webber, Tina Thompson, Rudy Tomjanovich, Katie Smith, Kim Mulkey, Maurice Cheeks, Charles Driesell, Hugh Evans, Kim Mulkey and Wayland Baptist University.
Allen, Kidd, Nash, Hill, Webber and Cheeks are known for when they dominated in the NBA during their playing careers. Tomjanovich, Driesell and Mulkey are remembered as being stellar coaches in the game, and former referee Hugh Evans is remembered for his officiating. Katie Smith and Tina Thompson are recognized for their stellar play in the WNBA.
“To be named a Finalist for the 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame is an incredible distinction and we are proud to honor those who have made a tremendous impact on the game over the years,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “The Honors Committee now has the challenging task of selecting this year’s Enshrinees, which we look forward to announcing at the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio.”
The announcement will be made on Saturday, March 31 at a press conference in San Antonio prior to the NCAA’s Men’s Final Four.
Also announced at the event was the Curt Gowdy Media Award, which was given to longtime NBA photographer Andy Bernstein and ESPN analyst Doris Burke.
The recipients for the John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award were also announced — former basketball coach Harley Redin and U.K. alum John Host were the names announced.
