CEO and President of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame John Doleva announced that Kobe Bryant will be an inductee for the class of 2020.
Before his untimely and tragic death, the Laker that wore jersey No. 24 was being considered for the honor which ironically consists of 24 voters on the honors committee.
“Kobe was about to be considered for enshrinement and certainly he would be a slam dunk to be enshrined this August,” Doleva said.
This will be the first time that an NBA player has died before being inducted into the Hall of Fame, causing the Springfield institution to consider ways to celebrate the 18-time All Star champ.
Others that joined Kobe Bryant on the list of being eligible for the Hall of Fame include Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Tamika Catchings, Swin Cash, Michael Finley, Chris Bosh and Shawn Marion.
The committee will announce the finalists during NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago on Feb. 14.
Those who made the final cut will be announced during the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta.
The Hall of Fame released a statement mourning the death of the legend.
“The Hall of Fame joins the rest of the basketball world in mourning the untimely passing of Kobe Bryant, a nominee for this year’s #20HoopClass and an icon of the game. We offer our sincerest condolences to the Bryant Family and those affected by this tragedy.”
The Enshrinement ceremony is scheduled on August 29, just six days after what would have been Kobe Bean Bryant’s 42nd birthday.
