Go away, corona. Just go away and never come back.
While the main topic on everyone’s minds is addressing systemic racism, we may have forgotten that there is a mean, vile, ugly, ashy, nasty virus still out there looking to do more damage.
Over 100,000 in the United States alone have lost their lives to this virus. It has virtually shut down the entirety of the sports world even with leagues (such as the WNBA) contemplating when to reopen. The NCAA tournament was canceled so a hypothetical Oregon-South Carolina national championship game will only exist in our heads.
The latest casualty of the pandemic? This year’s induction ceremony at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Tamika Catchings and Kim Mulkey were to be inducted along with Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and the late Kobe Bryant among others.
Reports suggest Hall of Fame officials could delay the 2020 enshrinement until later this year or sometime in 2021.
Statement from Basketball Hall of Fame President & CEO John Doleva on Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Enshrinement. #20HoopClass
📰: https://t.co/wBL8CQ7nl2 pic.twitter.com/7XRpMxlQGi
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) May 28, 2020
In accordance with our original event planning timeline, the Hall of Fame will review all options and reserve its final decision to the week of June 15. Further information will be forthcoming at that time. The health and safety of our Class members, returning Hall of Famers and Enshrinement guests is of paramount importance in our decision-making process. Again, we congratulate the highly anticipated Class of 2020 and look forward to gathering to celebrate their tremendous careers and impact on the game when it’s determined safe to do so.
–John Doleva, President and CEO, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (statement)
