Photo: Getty Images
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 12 inductees in the Class of 2023 to be celebrated during this year’s Enshrinement festivities on August 11-12. The Class Announcement was made in Houston, the site of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
Among those being inducted are San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, Spurs legend Tony Parker, former Spurs assistant coach, WNBA All-Star and current WNBA coach Becky Hammon and former Spurs player Pau Gasol.
This year’s North American Committee inductees (in alphabetical order):
Gene Bess - All-time winningest college coach (1,300), 2-time NJCAA Coach of the Year
Pau Gasol - 6-time All-Star, 2-time NBA champion, 2002 Rookie of the Year
David Hixon - 826 wins, 2-time D3 national champion, 2-time D3 Coach of the Year
Gene Keady – 6-time NCAA Coach of the Year, 17 NCAA Tournament appearances
Dirk Nowitzki - 14-time All-Star, 2006-07 MVP, 2011 NBA Champion
Tony Parker - 6-time All-Star, 4-time NBA champion, 2007 Finals MVP
Gregg Popovich - Winningest coach in NBA history, 3-time NBA Coach of the Year, 5-time NBA champion
Dwyane Wade - 13-time All-Star, 3-time NBA champion, 2006 Finals MVP
This year’s Women’s Committee inductees (in alphabetical order):
Gary Blair - 852 wins, 2011 National Champion, 2-time Final Four participant
Becky Hammon - 6-time WNBA All-Star, 2-time First-Team All-WNBA recipient
This year’s Direct Elect Committee inductees (in alphabetical order):
1976 Women’s Olympic Basketball Team (Women’s Veterans) – Silver medalists in inaugural appearance for Women’s Olympic Basketball
Jim Valvano (Contributor) – 1983 NCAA Champion, created The V Foundation for Cancer Research
“The Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is remarkable and truly embodies the breadth and impact of the global game today,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “This Class represents the game at every level and showcases the incredible efforts of individuals who are not only household names in the game, but also those who teach, coach and counsel to men and women at the most organic levels of basketball. The ultimate achievement of a storied career is Enshrinement in the Naismith Hall, and this Class punctuates and defines what it means to be a Hall of Famer.”
The Class of 2023 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, the Birthplace of Basketball, as well as the Mohegan Sun on August 11-12.