Hoops legends Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Becky Hammon, and Gregg Popovich headline the finalists of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
All six are set to be inducted, as the formal announcement of their inclusion into the Hall of Fame will be conducted in the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four on Saturday morning.
Wade, one of the greatest shooting guards in basketball history, amazed fans with his impeccable explosiveness and elite athleticism. He helped the Miami Heat to win three NBA titles and is the Finals MVP of the franchise’s 2006 championship finish.
The German great in Nowitzki utilized his size, length, and dominant shooting to pave the way for big men in expanding their offensive game. A loyal one and the 2007 league MVP, he was the franchise cornerstone of the Dallas Mavericks throughout his career and led them to a legendary championship run in 2011.
Known for his lightning-fast blitzes and deadly offensive bag, Parker earned six All-Star selections, four All-NBA honors, and four title rings as a core member of the San Antonio Spurs. He was the team’s 2007 Finals MVP and main floor general during their glorious days.
The Spanish legend in Gasol clinched six All-Star selections, multiple All-NBA recognitions, and two championship rings in back-to-back reigns of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009-2010. A mainstay in Spain’s national basketball team, he propelled his nation to massive success in international basketball.
Hammon, a six-time WNBA All-Star, broke the barriers in the NBA as she went on to become a mentee of Popovich in the Spurs. She led the Las Vegas Aces to its first WNBA title last year.
And lastly, Popovich, who holds the league record for the all-time wins of a head coach in history, guided the San Antonio dynasty towards five NBA championships. The longtime mentor has been in the Spurs for 27 years, and he led the U.S. National Team to a gold medal run in the last Tokyo Olympics.
The Naismith Class of 2023 will be celebrated and enshrined on Aug. 11 to 12 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
