The coronavirus pandemic has delayed yet another monumental event. The NBA has announced the late Kobe Bryant’s introduction to The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will not be taking place this year.
What We Know:
- Originally, the ceremony was set to be held earlier this year in Springfield, Massachusetts. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA announced on Saturday that they had set the date to celebrate its new Hall of Fame inductees on May 13th through the 15th of 2021.
- Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers star who passed in a tragic accident in January, will be inducted next year as part of the class of 2020. The 18-time NBA Allstar is set to be inducted along with players Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, WNBA star Tamika Catchings, coaches Kim Mulkey, Rudy Tomjanovich, Barbara Stevens, and Eddie Sutton.
- Bryant leaves behind a phenomenal athletic record, including playing for the 2008’s Gold Medal Game in Team U.S.A, 5 times NBA Champion, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 2 time NBA Finals MVP, and making over 35 game-winning shots in his career.
- John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, said earlier this year, “In 2020, the basketball community has suffered the unimaginable loss of iconic figures Commissioner David Stern and Kobe Bryant, as well as the game itself due to COVID-19. We have also banded together like never before in appreciation of the game and those who have made it the uniting force it is today. Today we thank the Class of 2020 for all they have done for the game of basketball, and we look forward to celebrating them at Enshrinement.”
Fans worldwide will be tuning in to the ceremony to celebrate all of the Black Mamba’s unforgettable achievements.
