The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Friday the 13 finalists that will be considered for the 2019 Hall of Fame induction September. Out of the candidates, eight were former players, four were coaches and one was a referee. Chris Webber, Teresa Weatherspoon and Ben Wallace, who is a first-time finalist this year, were some of the more recognizable names on the list.
Ben Wallace won his first and only title in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons and was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006). Wallace also made the NBA All-Defensive Team five times and was a four-time NBA All-Star (2003-06).
For Chris Webber, this is the third consecutive year that he’s been selected as a finalist. Webber is most notably known for his role as a member of the Michigan Wolverine’s ‘Fab Five,’ and leading them to consecutive Final Four appearances in 1992 and 1993. Webber was a five-time All-Star (1997, 2000-03) and the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 1994.
Teresa Weatherspoon was a five-time WNBA All-Star (1999-2003) and was crowned the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year twice in 1997 and 1998. She was also the first player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 points and 1,000 assists.
The complete list of the 13 finalists includes:
Paul Westphal – former player and coach
Barbara Stevens – 1,000-win NCAA Women’s basketball coach
Leta Andrews – all-time winningest high school coach
Eddie Sutton – four-time National Coach of the year
Jack Sikma – seven-time NBA All-Star
Sidney Moncrief – five-time NBA All-Star
Bobby Jones – eight-time NBA All-Defensive First team member
Marques Johnson – five-time NBA All-Star
Bill Fitch – NBA coach for 25 seasons
Hugh Evans – NBA Official for 28 consecutive years
Teresa Weatherspoon – five-time WNBA All-Star
Chris Webber – five-time NBA All-Star
Ben Wallace – NBA Champion
The Class of 2019 will be revealed at this year’s NCAA Final Four and will be officially inducted on September 5-7, 2019 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
