Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard headline Hall of Fame nominees
The NBA has announced another high-profile class of candidates headlined by former stars Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard.
The group also includes Marc Gasol and Amar’e Stoudemire as well as WNBA legends Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Slyvia Fowles, and Chamique Holdsclaw. The potential class also includes NBA head coaches Doc Rivers and Billy Donovan along with Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison, Gonzaga men’s head coach Mark Few, and former Iowa women’s head coach Lisa Bluder.
“To better recognize the distinguished careers of potential first-ballot nominees in a more timely manner, the board has appropriately shortened the waiting period,” Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo said via ESPN. “We are excited about this change and believe that honoring individuals while their contributions are still fresh in people’s minds is both meaningful and impactful.”
Next year’s class holds the unique distinction with the new rule for eligibility requirements that has reduced the waiting period for players from three full seasons to only two full seasons out from their final NBA game played.
In essence, the change will allow certain players to reach the Hall of Fame earlier.
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The NBA will take the next step in determining the finalists for the 2025 class on Feb. 14 in San Francisco during the All-Star weekend. The inductees will be announced on April 5 in San Antonio during the men’s NCAA Final Four.
The enshrinement ceremony will occur on Sept. 5 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut and at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts on Sept. 6.
