(Detroit, MI)-The American Basketball Hall of Fame Foundation announced the list of 50 eligible candidates for the class of 2023 today. NBA legends and greats Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Pennsylvania former legendary basketball coach of Farrell High School Coach Ed McCluskey lead the way for nomination for enshrinement into the American Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2024.
The American Basketball Hall of Fame (ABHOF) has inducted 5 classes and over 75 players into the ABHOF since 2019, from the likes of former Boston Celtics Sam Jones, Harlem Globetrotter Legend Meadowlark Lemon, to the late great Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Playground legend Pee Wee Kirkland, to ESPN Basketball Sportscaster Dick Vitale, Michigan State University Basketball Coach Tom Izzo, and Detroit Pistons great Isiah Thomas.
The goal of the ABHOF is to honor the history of basketball and also give players another opportunity to be honored and a chance to be inducted into a national hall of fame from the levels of High School, College, Players/Coaches, Barnstorming Teams, Playground Legends, and the NBA, CBA, ABA, EBL, WNBA, and Contributors etc.. that have made an impact on the Game of Basketball. Founder and Hall of Famer LaMont “ShowBoat” Robinson said that he is in talks with several cities that have shown a major interest in landing the project, the goal is to build a world-class, state-of-the-art basketball complex.
From the 50 nominees, 15 will be chosen to be enshrined into the class of 2024. On November 15, 2023, at a press conference, the class of 2024 will be unveiled. The American Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend will be the Blue Jacket Luncheon & Media Day, on Friday, June 28, American Basketball Hall of Fame V.I.P. Enshrinement Pre-Party Gale, on Saturday, June 29, and the 6th Annual American Basketball Hall of Fame Red Carpet Enshrinement Ceremony on Sunday, June 29.
Tickets will go on sale on January 4, 2024 @ www.basketballhof.org or www.americanbasketballhall.com
American Basketball Hall of Fame 50 Nominees
- Earvin “Magic” Johnson-Player
- Larry Bird-Player
- Steve Smith-Player
- Julius “Dr.J” Erving-Player
- Mateen Cleaves-Player
- Bill Laimbeer-Player
- Bobby McQuaige-Player
- Oscar Robertson-Player
- Rudy Tomjanovich-Player
- Campy Russell-Player
- Brad Sellers-Player
- Greg Bell-Player
- Austin Carr-Player
- Phil Chenier-Player
- Dave Bing-Player
- Ron Harper-Player
- Charles Oakley-Player
- Geoff Warren-Player
- Vincent Johnson-Player
- Paul “Showtime” Gaffney-Player
- Semeka Randall-Lay-Player
- Ray Scott-Player
- Clark Kellogg-Player
- Earl “The Pearl Monroe-Player
- Mark Aguirre -Player
- Joe “The Destroyer” Hammond -Player
- Brain Burdine-Player
- George Gervin-Player
- David Thompson-Player
- Swin Cash-Player
- Tamika Catchings-Player
- Yolanda Laney-Player
- World B. Free-Player
- Curly Neal-Player
- Mack Calvin-Player
- Dru Joyce III-Player
- Romeo Travis-Player
- Sonny Vaccaro-Contributor
- Sonny Hill-Contributor
- Stephen A. Smith-Contributor
- Dan Gilbert-Contributor
- Rucker Park-Contributor
- Randallwood Playground-Contributor
- Ed McCluskey-Coach
- Kevin Mackey-Coach
- Bob Huggins-Coach
- Denny Lehnus-Coach
- Chuck Daly-Coach
- Dru Joyce II-Coach
- Harlem Clowns-Team
