The other finalists are Leta Andrews, Dick Bavetta, John Calipari, Bill Fitch, Tim Hardaway, former Knick Spencer Haywood, Robert Hughes, Kevin Johnson, Lisa Leslie, Bo Ryan and Jo Jo White.
Four-time Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutombo laughs during a news conference announcing him as one of the 12 finalists of this year’s hall of fame class.
Former shot-blocker extraordinaire Dikembe Mutombo headlines a list of 12 finalists for the 2015 Basketball Hall of Fame class, which was announced Saturday morning at Madison Square Garden.
The one-time Knick and Net is second only to Hakeem Olajuwon for most blocks in NBA history. Mutombo was an eight-time All-Star and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
The other finalists are Leta Andrews, Dick Bavetta, John Calipari, Bill Fitch, Tim Hardaway, former Knick Spencer Haywood, Robert Hughes, Kevin Johnson, Lisa Leslie, Bo Ryan and Jo Jo White.
The Class of 2015 will be announced on April 6 in Indianapolis before the NCAA men’s title game, but the Zaire, Africa, native feels he will be enshrined.
I think I’m about to go in history, especially for all of those kids who are playing the game of basketball today, Mutombo said. They will know that there is one of us who did it. We can do it, and Dikembe came from nowhere.
There’s a great lesson I learned from my parents, that it’s no more about where you come from, it’s about where you want to be tomorrow. I always look ahead in my life. I always dream big where I want to be tomorrow. I think that dream is about to be fulfilled. I can’t wait to see myself in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The Hall of Fame also announced the five direct-elects into the class of 2015: Louie Dampier, Lindsay Gaze, Tommy Heinsohn, John Isaacs and George Raveling. Heinsohn is the fourth person to be inducted both as a player and a coach, joining Bill Sharman, John Wooden and Lenny Wilkens.
Rod Thorn, president of basketball operations for the NBA who held the same title with the Nets, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Thorn has been involved in the
NBA for more than 50 years as a player, coach and executive.
Looking at the history of this award and the people who’ve won it, I feel very honored to be selected for this year, Thorn said. It’s something I’m sure my family and I will cherish forever.
Rich Clarkson and Woody Durham will receive the 2015 Curt Gowdy Media Award.