On Sunday night, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, welcomed its new inductees, including Chauncey Billups and Vince Carter.
This year’s class comprises 13 inductees, with seven being honored as players. Billups and Carter were key figures among the inductees, alongside Michael Cooper, Walter Davis, Seimone Augustus, Dick Barnett, and Michele Timms.
Bo Ryan, Charles Smith, and Harley Redin were recognized for their coaching achievements, while Doug Collins, Herb Simon, and Jerry West were acknowledged as contributors to the sport.
Jerry West, who sadly passed away in June at 86, was a previous inductee as a player and Olympian, making him the first individual to be honored three times in Springfield.
Chauncey Billups, now 48, had a successful 17-year NBA career, playing in 1,043 games for teams such as the Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets, and the Los Angeles Clippers. He was a five-time All-Star, a three-time All-NBA choice, and the MVP of the 2004 Finals, with career averages of 15.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Currently, he is the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, a position he took on in the 2021-22 season.
Vince Carter, aged 47, played for eight teams over 22 seasons in the NBA and is known for his scoring ability, averaging 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 1,541 games. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1999 with the Raptors and achieved eight All-Star selections throughout his career.
Michael Cooper, 68, made a name for himself as a defensive standout with the legendary “Showtime” Lakers, contributing to five championship titles over his 12-year career in Los Angeles. He earned eight selections to the All-Defensive team and was recognized as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year during the 1986-87 season.
Walter Davis, who died at the age of 69 in November 2023, was the 1978 Rookie of the Year and spent the majority of his 15 seasons with the Phoenix Suns. He also played for the Nuggets and Blazers and averaged 18.9 points over 1,033 games as a six-time All-Star.
Dick Barnett, now 88, had a successful 14-year tenure with the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Syracuse Nationals, winning two NBA championships and averaging 15.8 points per game throughout his career.
Seimone Augustus, aged 40, enjoyed a 15-year WNBA career, mainly with the Minnesota Lynx and the Los Angeles Sparks. During her time, she averaged 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, winning four championships and being named Finals MVP in 2011 after winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2006.
Michele Timms, 59, also made an impact in the WNBA, achieving one All-Star selection while primarily gaining recognition on the international stage. She became the first Australian to play professional basketball abroad and helped her national team secure a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics and silver in the 2000 Olympics.
Bo Ryan, 76, is celebrated for his 32 years of coaching at various collegiate levels, including Wisconsin. He was honored as Big Ten Coach of the Year four times, leading his teams to the Final Four twice, with an impressive overall record of 747 wins to 233 losses.
Charles Smith, at 75, has an impressive resume as a high school basketball coach in Louisiana, where he has secured nine state championships, making him the winningest coach in the state at that level.
Harley Redin had a notable coaching career for both men’s and women’s teams at Wayland Baptist University, achieving six AAU tournament titles. He was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999 and lived until he was 100, passing away in 2020.
Doug Collins, 73, was a four-time NBA All-Star and later served as head coach for the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Pistons, concluding his coaching career with a 442-407 record while also enjoying a successful broadcasting career.
Herb Simon, 89, is the owner of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, having purchased the Pacers alongside his brother in 1983.
Jerry West, a 14-time All-Star and 12-time All-NBA choice, first entered the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980, then again in 2010 as a member of the gold-winning 1960 U.S. Olympic team. He contributed as a player to nine of the Lakers’ championships and later as an executive.
Overall, the Class of 2024 reflects exceptional talent and contributions to basketball, with each inductee leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.
