“It’s Inspiring… these guys are still playing quality minutes”, a quote from former Chabot basketball player Kenry Jourdan speaking on some members of the new class of honorees for the basketball hall of fame.

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame revealed its annual class of honorees. This year’s class consists of some well-known players such as Maya Moore, Sue Bird, Dwight Howard, and Carmelo Anthony. These players have been playing since the beginning of this century. Many younger fans were growing up when these players were playing. This marks a new experience in the lives of these fans. Witnessing their favorite players growing up being inducted into the hall.

Basketball fans under the age of 25 grew up watching some of these honorees, having unforgettable connections with these players that can be used as markers in their lives. Kenry Jourdan former Chabot basketball player speaks on Carmelo Anthony, “ It’s the NBA live 06 cover with [Anthony] on the cover… that was my first love” There is a connection to these players that go beyond just watching a game. Fans grew up playing the games and buying merchandise like jerseys and shoes.

There are two separate committees for selection: a North American committee of nine that selects the men and a women’s committee of seven that selects the women. For someone to be a finalist, they must have a majority of votes from the committee. Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony were both recognized in the NBA’s own poll for the greatest 75 players done on the 75th anniversary of the league in 2021. At the time, both players were still playing in the NBA and were still recognized as some of the greatest ever. Dwight Howard played for 18 seasons, was selected eight times All-NBA, three times defensive player of the year, and an NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Carmelo Anthony played for 19 seasons, was selected six times All-NBA, and was the scoring champ in 2013.

This class also consists of the US Olympic Basketball team from 2008, nicknamed the “Redeem Team”. This induction marks a rare occasion in two players on the team being still active players in the NBA. Lebron James and Chris Paul are now inducted members of the basketball hall of fame as members of the Redeem Team while still playing in the NBA. This is a rare occurrence for active players to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, not as players but as members of a team.

The women selected this year were all former players. Sue Bird played for 20 seasons, 13 of them were an All-Star. She leads the WNBA in games played, minutes, and assists. Sylvia Fowles is an eight-time All-WNBA, 2017 MVP, four-time defensive player of the year, and two-time champion. Maya Moore won MVP in 2016, four WNBA championships, two NCAA titles, and two gold medals.

The other honorees this year were Danny Crawford, an NBA referee for 32 years, Billy Donovan, a coach who is a two time NCAA champ and the 2020 NBA head coach of the year, and Micky Arison, the owner of the Miami Heat.

This class marks the first time for a generation of basketball fans who are watching players they grew up watching be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It is also the first time most have seen active players inducted into the hall, even as just members of a team.