Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups, Jerry West, Headline the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024
By Keith Mado October 15, 2024 13:11
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of basketball excellence, where individuals who have achieved legendary status are immortalized and recognized for their illustrious careers and the legacy they’ve left the game.
The HOF welcomed its 2024 class with 13 new inductees on Sunday at Springfield Symphony Hall. Of course, all inductees deserve their place in the enrshrinement, but some names stood out more than others.
Vince Carter
Known for his unworldly vertical, dunks, and his career’s longevity, Vince Carter, aka “Half Man, Half Amazing,” aka "Vinsanity," and now “Hall of Famer," headlined the 2024 HOF class. A classic journeyman in the NBA, Carter played for eight different franchises but is widely known for his stints with the Toronto Raptors and the New Jersey Nets.
"I played the game because I loved it," Carter shared. "It wasn't about chasing rings. You look at the stops that I had; they weren't championship-caliber teams. But I went for an opportunity to play. I felt like I could still be a veteran."
His 22-year career was filled with iconic moments and unforgettable highlights while accumulating numerous accolades along the way. Carter’s resume is one most NBA players could only dream of: winning the 1999 Rookie of the Year award, grabbing eight All-Star nods, two All-NBA campaigns, and, of course, his 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Champion trophy.
Jerry West
2024 will be West’s third induction to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, but this will be the first to be done posthumously after his tragic passing in June. “The Logo” has already been inducted for his fruitful career as a player for the Los Angeles Lakers and for his involvement in the 1960 U.S. Olympic team. Now, the NBA is once again recognizing West’s contributions to the game, but this time for his stint as a front-office executive and consultant.
Chauncey Billups
Former Detroit Pistons floor general and current Portland Trail Blazers head coach, Chauncey Billups, is another iconic name featured in this year’s class. “Mr. Big Shot” is widely recognized for his stint with the Pistons, where he led the franchise to its first NBA Championship in 2004, stunning the Shaq and Kobe-led Lakers in the Finals.
"It was in Detroit where I became known as a winner, which is all I ever wanted," Billups exclaimed. "From the time I was drafted to this weekend, it was a tough road for me. I learned so much about me. It kind of made me who I am."
He finished his career with an NBA ring, five All-Star nods, and a lasting legacy in Motor City.
Here is a full list of the entire 2024 Basketball HOF inductees:
North American Committee
Chauncey Billups
Vince Carter
Michael Cooper
Walter Davis
Bo Ryan
Charles Smith
Women's Committee
Seimone Augustus
Men’s Veteran Committee
Dick Barnett
Women's Veterans Committee
Harley Redin
International Committee
Michele Timms
Contributors Committee
Doug Collins
Herb Simon
Jerry West
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