Could we soon attach the mark of “Hall of Famer” by the names of Tina Thompson, Becky Hammon, Teresa Weatherspoon and Katie Smith?
Photo Credit: Ned Dishman/NBAE/Getty Images
It is at least a possibility after the initial list of nominees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018 were unveiled.
Photo Credit: Elaine Thompson/Associated Press
The Women’s Committee nominees featured 16 names that included the aforementioned Hammon, Smith, and Thompson as first-time nominees as well as that of Teresa Weatherspoon.
Photo Credit: Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images
Photo Credit: LM Otero/AP
Also a notable on the Women’s Committee’s list is current Baylor women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey, who was nominated as both a player and as a coach.
Leta Andrews (coach), Jennifer Azzi (player), Susie McConnell (player), Pearl Moore (player), Harley Redin (coach), Theresa Shank (player), Marianne Stanley (coach), Barbara Stevens (coach), Valerie Still (player), and the girls basketball team at Wayland Baptist Church were also nominated by the Women’s Committee.
The overall list of nominees also includes the names Ray Allen, Chauncey Billups, Muggsy Bogues, Richard Hamilton, Grant Hill, Tim Hardaway, Jason Kidd, Rollie Massimino, Bo Ryan, Eddie Sutton, Rudy Tomjanovich, Ben Wallace, and Chris Webber.
The list of Basketball Hall of Famer finalists will be unveiled in February when the NBA hosts its All-Star Game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The official Class of 2018 will be announced in late March when the NCAA Men’s Final Four emanates from the Alamodome in San Antonio. The ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 6-8 at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Be sure to check out Episode 13 of The W Podcast featuring special guest Imani McGee-Stafford! And follow on Twitter @thewpodcast_ and on Instagram @thewpodcast!
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
