Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame Class Of 2024

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame Class Of 2024 Enshrinement Ceremony

October 16, 2024 – We at Baron® are grateful to have been a part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement Ceremony festivities were held on Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and October 13, 2024. The Class of 2024 featuring 13 members took place in Springfield, Mass., the Birthplace of Basketball.

• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2022
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Saturday, April 06, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona, the site of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and was televised live on ESPN2.

Enshrinement Dates Adjustments
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has announced the decision to move its Enshrinement Ceremonies from August 16-17 to October 12-13 in response to requests from the global basketball community.

Women’s Committee

Men’s Veteran Committee

Women’s Veteran Committee

Chauncey Billups

Player

Chauncey Billups, known as “Mr. Big Shot” for his clutch performances, was a five-time NBA All-Star and the 2004 Finals MVP, leading the Detroit Pistons to their third NBA Championship.

Over his 17-year career, Billups averaged 15.2 points and 5.4 assists per game, and his 89.4% free throw accuracy ranks sixth in NBA/ABA history.

Drafted third overall in 1997 by the Boston Celtics, Billups also earned Second Team All-American honors at Colorado. He currently serves as the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Chauncey Billups’ Video
  Chauncey Billups’ Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Chauncey Billups delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Vince Carter, celebrated for his high-flying dunks, was an eight-time NBA All-Star during his remarkable 22-season career (1998-2020).

He won the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, was named the 1998-99 Rookie of the Year, and is the only player in NBA history to compete in four different decades. Carter averaged 16.7 points per game (21.3 as a starter) and was instrumental in securing a gold medal for the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

He also holds the single-season franchise scoring records for both the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Vince Carter’s Video
  Vince Carter’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Vince Carter delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Michael Cooper, a defensive powerhouse, was named to eight NBA All-Defensive Teams, with five First-Team selections, and earned the 1987 Defensive Player of the Year award.

Drafted 60th overall, he spent his entire 12-year NBA career (1978-1990) with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five Championships and often guarding the opponent’s top scorer.

After retiring as a player, Cooper transitioned to coaching, where he won WNBA Coach of the Year in 2000 and led the Los Angeles Sparks to Back-To-Back WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Michael Cooper’s Video
  Michael Cooper’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Michael Cooper delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Walter Davis, the all-time leading scorer in Phoenix Suns history, was a six-time NBA All-Star during his 15-year career with the Suns, Denver Nuggets, and Portland Trail Blazers.

Drafted fifth overall in 1977 after winning a gold medal in the 1976 Summer Olympics, Davis made an immediate impact, averaging 24.2 points per game in his rookie season and earning the 1978 Rookie of the Year award.

His No. 6 jersey was retired by the Suns, and he was enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor in 2004.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Walter Davis’ Video
  Walter Davis’ Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Jordan Davis and Hillary Davis Laird deliver their speech on behalf of Walter Davis upon their being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Bo Ryan, a distinguished collegiate basketball coach, amassed an impressive 747-233 (.762) record over 32 seasons with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the University of Wisconsin.

During his 14-plus seasons in Madison, he achieved a 364-130 (.737) record, earned four Big Ten Coach of the Year honors, led Wisconsin to four Big Ten Regular-Season titles, three Big Ten Tournament Championships, and Back-To-Back Final Four appearances in 2014 and 2015.

A four-time Division III Champion, Ryan was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Bo Ryan’s Video
  Bo Ryan’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Bo Ryan delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Charles Smith

Coach

Charles Smith, Louisiana’s all-time winningest high school basketball coach, has achieved remarkable success at Peabody Magnet High School, where he began coaching in 1985.

With nine State Championships and two perfect seasons (41-0 in 2004 and 2010), Smith earned national recognition, including ESPN’s National Coach of the Year in 2010.

His achievements led to his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021. Smith also served as head coach at the 2020 McDonald’s All-American game.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Charles Smith’s Video
  Charles Smith’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Charles Smith delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Seimone Augustus

Player

Seimone Augustus, the first overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft, enjoyed a stellar 15-year career, highlighted by four WNBA Championships and eight All-Star selections.

As the cornerstone of the Minnesota Lynx, where she played 14 seasons, Augustus averaged 15.4 points per game and earned accolades including 2006 Rookie of the Year and 2011 Finals MVP.

At LSU, she led the Tigers to three consecutive Final Four appearances and won the Naismith College Player of the Year and Wooden Awards in 2005 and 2006.

• WNBA Champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)
• Western Conference All-Star (2006, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017)
• WNBA Finals MVP (2011)

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Seimone Augustus’ Video
  Seimone Augustus’ Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Seimone Augustus delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Dick Barnett

Player

Dick Barnett, known as “Skull,” first made his mark at Tennessee A&I University, where he led the Tigers to three consecutive NAIA National Championships from 1957 to 1959, making them the first historically black school to win a men’s basketball title.

Over his 14-season NBA career, Barnett played for the Syracuse Nationals, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks, winning two NBA titles with the Knicks in 1970 and 1973.

He was an All-Star in 1968, and the Knicks retired his No. 12 jersey. In 2019, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame honored his Championship-Winning Tigers team.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Dick Barnett’s Video
  Dick Barnett’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Dick Barnett delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Harley Redin

Coach

Harley Redin was a legendary women’s basketball coach, leading Wayland Baptist’s program to a remarkable 431-66 record over 18 seasons.

He guided the Flying Queens to six AAU National Championships, including two undefeated seasons in 1956 and 1957, and achieved 17 top-five finishes. Redin’s teams went 110-2 during his first four years at Wayland Baptist.

He also coached the U.S. Women’s National Team in several major international tournaments, including the 1959 Pan-American Games. His contributions to women’s basketball were recognized with multiple honors, including the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction in 1999 and the Naismith Award for Outstanding Contribution in 2000.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Harley Redin’s Video
  Harley Redin’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Kenny Redin and Van Redin deliver their speech on behalf of Harley Redin upon their being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Michele Timms

Player

Michele Timms is a pioneering figure in Australian women’s basketball, recognized as one of the world’s top point guards during the 1980s and 1990s. She was a key player for the Australian national team, the Opals, helping them secure a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics and a silver medal in 2000.

Timms broke new ground as the first Australian to play professional basketball internationally, joining Lotus München in Germany. In the WNBA, she spent five seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, leading them to the 1998 Finals and earning an All-Star nod in 1999.

Her accolades include induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2003, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016. The Phoenix Mercury retired her No. 7 jersey in 2002.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Michele Timms’ Video
  Michele Timms’ Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Michele Timms delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Doug Collins

Doug Collins has had a multifaceted and influential career in basketball, making a significant impact as a player, coach, and broadcaster. As a player, Collins was a four-time NBA All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers.

After retiring, he transitioned into coaching, amassing over 400 wins with the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, and 76ers. Notably, he coached Michael Jordan in both Chicago and Washington.

Beyond coaching, Collins became a respected NBA analyst, working for major networks including CBS, NBC, TNT, TBS, and ABC/ESPN. He also contributed as a broadcaster for NBC during the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Doug Collins’ Video
  Doug Collins’ Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Doug Collins delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Herb Simon

Herb Simon, the longest-serving governor in NBA history, has owned the Indiana Pacers since 1983, a tenure marked by significant achievements. Under his leadership, the Pacers have secured multiple Central Division titles and reached their first NBA Finals in 2000.

The team has been home to iconic players such as Jermaine O’Neal, Rik Smits, and Reggie Miller. Simon’s influence extends beyond the court, shaping the Pacers’ identity and contributing to the community through philanthropy and civic involvement.

His impact on the franchise and the broader Indianapolis community is profound.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Herb Simon’s Video
  Herb Simon’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Herb Simon delivers their speech upon being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Jerry West

Jerry West, already enshrined as a player and a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team, further cemented his legacy as one of the most successful executives in NBA history. He was the architect behind two Los Angeles Lakers dynasties in the 1980s and 2000s, responsible for drafting Magic Johnson and James Worthy, acquiring Kobe Bryant, signing Shaquille O’Neal, and hiring Phil Jackson.

West’s leadership led to eight NBA championships with the Lakers and earned him Executive of the Year honors twice. After his time with the Lakers, he served as GM for the Memphis Grizzlies and later contributed to two additional championships with the Golden State Warriors.

West is the first individual to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a contributor.

• @OfficialHoophall – Watch Jerry West’s Video
  Jerry West’s Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech. Jonnie West delivers their speech on behalf of Jerry West upon their being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.

Congratulations to the inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024 and to all those honored with awards! Baron® proudly recognizes the multitude of achievements that have left a lasting impact on the basketball community by the entire 2024 Class. Your unwavering commitment to guiding and mentoring basketball players, and empowering them to achieve success, has now been truly commemorated.

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