The class of 2015 for the Basketball Hall Of Fame was announced today. Players to be enshrined in Springfield, Massachusetts, include NBA stars Dikembe Mutombo, Spencer Haywood, Jo Jo White, coach of the Kentucky Wildcats John Calipari, WNBA star Lisa Leslie, and longtime NBA referee Dick Bavetta. Let’s take a look at these careers.
Dick Bavetta was an NBA referee for 39 years. During his time he officiated 2,635 games, never missing an assignment. His highlights include 270 playoff games, 27 NBA Finals, and 3 All-Star games. He was the first NBA referee selected to officiate the 1992 summer Olympic games. One favorite moment from his career came in the 2007 All-Star game in Las Vegas. Charles Barkley challenged him to a race. They would run from one baseline to another. The finish line was the half-court line. Barkley would win the race but both agreed it was a special moment.
Lisa Leslie played with the Los Angeles Sparks from 1997 to 2009. During her playing time, she averaged 17.3 points, 2.3 blocks and 9.1 rebounds per game. She was the first athlete WNBA to score over 5,000 points. She retired with 6,263 points. During a game vs. Miami in 2002, she became the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game. She won three WNBA championships, being named MVP of all of them. Leslie played in the WNBA All-Star game and made the WNBA First Team All-Star team eight times. She is one of the most successful WNBA players of all-time.
Spencer Haywood spent his career between the ABA and the NBA beginning with the Denver Rockets in 1969. He would play until 1983. Haywood only won, one NBA championship with the L.A. Lakers in 1980.
Jo Jo White play from 1969 to 1981. During his playing days, he won, 2 NBA Championships and was the MVP of one of them. That was back in 1976 with the Boston Celtics.
Coach John Calipari will be inducted in the Basketball Hall Of Fame. Calipari has only coached in the NCAA with 3 different teams. These include Memphis, Kentucky, and UMass. He coached his teams to Four Final 4’s including this year. He won the whole thing in 2012 with Kentucky. Calipari owns a career record of 635 wins and 178 losses.
The last player who will be enshrined in the Basketball Hall Of Fame is Dikembe Mutombo. Mutombo known for his finger wag when he blocked a shot, was the 4th pick overall by the Denver Nuggets in 1991. He would play for 6 NBA teams. One of his most famous moments was during the 1994 NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets became the 1st eighth seed in NBA history to beat a one seed. They knocked off the Seattle SuperSonics in game 5, 98-94. When the buzzer sounded, Mutombo was on the ground holding the ball above his head. During his career he was an 8 time All-Star and a 4 time NBA Defensive Player. He would also lead the NBA in rebounds two times.
All these players deserve to be in the Basketball Hall Of Fame. It will be an extraordinary moment when they read their speeches to be inducted. Watch the Basketball Hall Of Fame on September 11th, in Springfield, Massachusetts.
What do you think of these inductees?
Thanks for the info on these outstanding people . I like them all and happy for them.