Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame Class Of 2021

Baron® Championship Rings featuring Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Championship Rings.

The Class of 2021 includes nine honorees from the North American and Women’s committees:

• Ninth-winningest coach in NBA history Rick Adelman
• Two-time NBA champion and 11-time NBA All-Star Chris Bosh
• BA Finals MVP and 10-time NBA All-Star Paul Pierce
• The first Black NBA head coach Bill Russell
• Four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Champion Ben Wallace
• Five-time NBA All-Star and NBA Rookie of the Year Chris Webber
• Two-time NCAA national champion Villanova coach Jay Wright
• Seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Yolanda Griffith
• Seven-time WNBA All-Star and three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player Lauren Jackson

Class of 2021: @BBHOF -Looking fresh in that Naismith Orange. 🔥 #21HoopClass – Image post  by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

North American Committee:

Adelman coached in the NBA for more than three decades, compiling an overall head coaching record of 1042-749 (.582). His teams reached the playoffs in 16 of his 23 seasons at the helm and he led the Portland Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals (1990, 1992).

Adelman ranks ninth all-time in NBA career wins, including two 60-win seasons and 11 50-win seasons. He reached 200 wins in just 288 games, a record at the time. Adelman is a three-time NBA All-Star Game head coach (1991, 2001, 2003).

He coached several Hall of Fame players including Clyde Drexler, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Dikembe Mutombo, Chris Mullin and Drazen Petrovic.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Rick Adelman’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Rick Adelman delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Bosh is an 11-time NBA All-Star (2006-2016) and a two-time NBA Champion with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013). In 13 NBA seasons, he averaged 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Drafted by the Toronto Raptors, he was a member of the NBA All-Rookie Team in 2004.

As a collegiate athlete at Georgia Tech, Bosh earned ACC Rookie of the Year in 2003. As a high school standout in 2002, Bosh was named Texas Mr.

Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American, while leading Lincoln High to a state and national championship with a 40-0 record. On the international stage, Bosh won an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Chris Bosh’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Chris Bosh delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Pierce is a 10-time NBA All-Star (2002-06, 2008-2012) and 2008 NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics. In 2008, he was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

After 19 seasons in the NBA, Pierce ranks ninth all-time in free throws made and three-point field goals made, as well as 19th all-time in NBA scoring with 26,397 points. Drafted by the Celtics, Pierce was named a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1999.

As a Kansas Jayhawk, he was a unanimous First Team All-American in 1998. With Inglewood High, Pierce was named California Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American in 1995. His number 34 is retired by the Boston Celtics and Kansas Jayhawks.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Paul Pierce’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Paul Pierce delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Bill Russell’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Bill Russell delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Wallace is a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006), four-time NBA All-Star (2003-06) and NBA Champion with the Detroit Pistons (2004).

He earned NBA All-Defensive Team honors five times (2002-2006) and All-NBA Second Team three times (2003, 2004, 2006), while leading the NBA in rebounds per game (2002, 2003) and blocked shots (2002).

As a collegiate athlete at Virginia Union University, Wallace was a CIAA Tournament Champion and Tournament MVP in 1995 and a Division II First Team All-American in 1996.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Ben Wallace’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Ben Wallace delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Webber is a five-time NBA All-Star (1997, 2000-2003) and the 1994 NBA Rookie of the Year. He earned All-NBA First Team honors in 2001 and All-NBA Second Team three times (1999, 2002, 2003). He led the NBA in rebounds per game during the 1998-1999 season and averaged more than 20 points per game for nine consecutive seasons (1994-2003).

As a member of the “Fab Five,” Webber led the University of Michigan to two Final Four appearances (1992, 1993) and was a Unanimous First Team All-American in 1993.

As a high school phenom at Detroit Country Day School, he was named the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP, Michigan’s Mr. Basketball, and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year in 1991.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Chris Webber’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Chris Webber delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Wright is a two-time Naismith National Coach of the Year (2006, 2016), six-time Big East Conference Coach of the Year (2006, 2009, 2014-16, 2019) and the first coach in NCAA history to lead a team to four consecutive 30-win seasons.

He led Villanova to two NCAA national championships (2016, 2018) and eight Big East regular season championships (2006, 2014-17, 2019-2021).

In all, Wright has guided Villanova to three Final Fours, four Elite Eights and five Sweet Sixteen appearances. He has compiled an overall coaching record of 612-274 (.691). Wright was named the recipient of the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award in 2018.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Jay Wright’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Jay Wright delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Women’s Committee:

Griffith is a seven-time WNBA All-Star (1999-2001, 2003, 2005-2007) and two-time Olympic gold medalist (2000, 2004). She led the Sacramento Monarchs to a WNBA Championship in 2005 while being named to the All-WNBA First Team and WNBA All-Defensive First Team the same year.

In 1999, Griffith earned WNBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, while leading the league in field goals, rebounds, offensive rebounds, and steals per game. Griffith was named a member of the WNBA’s All-Decade Team in 2006 and the Top 20 Players in the league’s 20-year history in 2016.

She began her pro career in the ABL, earning Defensive Player of the Year and All-ABL First Team in 1998. As a student-athlete at Florida Atlantic University, Griffith earned WBCA Division II Player of the Year in 1993.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Yolanda Griffith’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Yolanda Griffith delivers her speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Jackson is a seven-time WNBA All-Star (2001-2003, 2005-2007, 2009) and three-time WNBA MVP (2003, 2007, 2010). She led the Seattle Storm to WNBA Championships in 2004 and 2010, while collecting WNBA Finals MVP honors in 2010.

In 2007, Jackson was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, while leading the league in rebounding and points per game. Jackson was named a member of the WNBA’s All-Decade Team in 2006 and the Top 20 Players in the league’s 20-year history in 2016.

As a superstar of the WNBL, Jackson is a five-time All-Star (1999-2004), four-time MVP (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004), and four-time Grand Final MVP (2002, 2003, 2006, 2010). With the Australian national team, she is a three-time Olympic silver medalist (2000, 2004, 2008).

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Lauren Jackson’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech
– Lauren Jackson delivers her speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Contributor Committee Direct Elections:

Ackerman is widely regarded as a trailblazing basketball executive and a significant contributor to women’s and men’s basketball on the collegiate, professional and international levels. She served as WNBA President from the league’s inception in 1996 to 2005 and USA Basketball’s first female President from 2005-2008.

Since 2013, Akerman has led the BIG EAST Conference as Commissioner, launching several initiatives including BIG EAST Serves, the Digital Network, the Student-Athlete Well-Being Forum, and winning two NCAA basketball national championships.

Akerman is a recipient of the John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award (2008), the Edward Steitz Award (2013), and the Women’s Sports Foundation Billie Jean King Award (2016), as well as an enshrinee of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2011).

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Val Ackerman’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Val Ackerman delivers her speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Recognized posthumously, Fitzsimmons was a two-time NBA Coach of the Year (1979, 1989) and is one of 15 coaches with 800 or more victories. He coached five NBA franchises, most notably the Phoenix Suns to four straight 50-win seasons. He led his teams to 12 NBA playoff appearances, including three Western Conference Finals appearances.

Fitzsimmons’ Hall of Fame players includes Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Walt Bellamy, Pete Maravich, JoJo White, and Artis Gilmore. Prior to the NBA, he was named Big 8 Coach of the Year, leading Kansas State to the Sweet Sixteen (1970).

He also guided Moberly Junior College to two junior college national championships (1966, 1967). Fitzsimmons is an enshrinee of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (1981) and National Junior College Hall of Fame (1985).

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Cotton Fitzsimmons’ Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – JoAnn Fitzsimmons delivers a speech on behalf of Cotton Fitzsimmons upon their being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Cotton Fitzsimmons. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Honored posthumously, Garkfinkel is recognized as the Co-Founder and longtime director of Five-Star Basketball Camp, which revolutionized scouting, recruiting, and coaching development. Hall of Famers who served as Five-Star Camp Counselors include Hubie Brown, John Calipari, Bobby Knight, and George Raveling.

Several Five-Star alumni would also go on to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame including Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, Grant Hill, and Tim Duncan. Five-Star’s drill-station style became the standard for basketball camps and countless participants went on to play in the NBA.

Prior to Five-Star, Garfinkel started High School Basketball Illustrated in 1965, the first high school scouting report. He was inducted into the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Howard Garfinkel’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Will Klein delivers a speech on behalf of Howard Garfinkel upon their being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Early African American Pioneers Committee Direct Elect:

Recognized posthumously, Jenkins was a two-sport professional athlete in both baseball and basketball in the 1920’s and 1930’s when both sports were racially segregated. A native of New York City, he played basketball for the St. Christopher’s Club youth team and then for the first teams that were named “Colored Basketball World’s Champions” in 1917, 1918 and 1919.

Jenkins then went on to play for the New York Incorporators, the Loendi Big Five, the Commonwealth Big Five and eventually the renowned New York Renaissance where he served as team captain. The Colored Basketball World Championships were won by his team for eight straight years, even though he moved twice to three different teams.

Standing at just 5’7” and 170 pounds, Jenkins was admired for his ability to remain poised and guide his team, while always aspiring for excellence.

International Committee Direct Elect:

Kukoc is a three-time NBA Champion (1996-98) and an NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1996). He played in the NBA from 1993 to 2006 and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1994.

He is a five-time Euroscar European Player of the Year (1990, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1998) and three-time EuroLeague MVP (1990, 1991, 1993). With Yugoslavia, he earned a FIBA World Championships gold medal (1990) and a silver medal in the 1988 Olympics.

He also earned a silver medal in the Olympics with Croatia (1992). He was named the FIBA World Championships MVP (1990) and is on the list of FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players (1991).

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Toni Kukoc’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Toni Kukoc delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Veterans Committee Direct Elect:

Dandridge was a premier player of the 1970s during his 12-year professional career in the NBA. With the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Bullets, he won NBA Championships in 1971 and 1978 respectively. Dandridge is a four-time NBA All-Star (1973, 1975, 1976, 1979).

He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1970 and All-NBA Second Team and NBA All-Defensive Team in 1979. A native of Richmond, he played collegiately at Norfolk State College from 1965-69 where he averaged 22.6 points and 13 rebounds per game.

In 1969, he earned several CIAA honors including All-Conference, All-Tournament, and Tournament MVP while averaging 32.8 points in his senior season.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Bob Dandridge’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Bob Dandridge delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Women’s Veterans Committee Direct Elect:

As a four-time AIAW Small College All-American from 1975-1979 at Francis Marion College, Moore scored 4,061 points, making her the women’s college basketball all-time leader in points scored. She averaged 30 points per game and scored in double figures in all 127 college games she played.

In 1979, Moore was named American Women’s Sports Foundation Small College Player of the Year, South Carolina AIAW Player of the Year and South Carolina Amateur Athlete of the Year.

As a pro, she played two seasons in the WBL and was named an All-Star in 1981. Moore is an enshrinee of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (2000).

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Presents: Pearl Moore’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech – Pearl Moore delivers her speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021. Watch OfficialHoophall YouTube

Let us know on Facebook and Twitter your favourite moment of the ceremony. Which 2021 Inductee’s acceptance speech stood out the most to you? Don’t forget to share the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021. 

This article originally appeared on Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Revealed Today at Newly Renovated Museum