Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Gregg Popovich headline 2023 Naismith Hall of Fame finalists | Zagsblog
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Wednesday / May 8.
  • Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Gregg Popovich headline 2023 Naismith Hall of Fame finalists

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    The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday announced the selection of five coaches and seven players as Finalists from the North American and Women’s Screening committees. The Finalists will then be put forth to the Honors Committee to be considered for election as a member of the Class of 2023.

    This year’s North American Committee finalists (in alphabetical order):

    Gene Bess – All-time winningest college coach (1,300)
    Pau Gasol – 6-time All-Star, 2-time NBA champion, 2002 Rookie of the Year
    David Hixon – 826 wins, 2-time D3 national champion,2-time D3 Coach of the Year

    Gene Keady – 7-time Big Ten Coach of the Year 
    Tony Parker – 6-time All-Star, 4-time NBA champion, 2007 Finals MVP
    Gregg Popovich – Winningest coach in NBA history,5-time NBA champion
    Dwyane Wade – 13-time All-Star, 3-time NBA champion, 2006 Finals MVP
    This year’s Women’s Committee finalists (in alphabetical order):

    Jennifer Azzi – 1990 Naismith Player of the Year, 1990 national champion
    Gary Blair – 852 wins, 2011 national champion
    Becky Hammon – 6-time WNBA All-Star
    Marian Washington – 560 wins, 11 NCAA apps.
    “Eleven first-time nominees make up this historic group of Class of 2023 finalists,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “It is an incredible honor to be named a Finalist for the Hall of Fame, and their recognition as a Finalist is evidence of the legendary accomplishments and dominance shown throughout their careers. The Class of 2023 will be remembered as one of the most distinguished classes the Hall of Fame will ever see, and we are extremely excited for this unparalleled collection of talent and achievement to be one step closer to Springfield.”

    The entire Class of 2023 will be announced in Houston, on April 1 at the NCAA Men’s Final Four at 11:00 AM ET as part of the Hall of Fame Class Announcement. Potential Enshrinees from the Direct Elect Committees may also be recognized at the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

    The Class of 2023 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, Mass., the Birthplace of Basketball, on August 11-12. VIP packages to the 2023 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend are now available. Single-event tickets will go on sale April 1 following the 2023 Class Announcement at 12:00 PM ET. For more information, please visit hoophall.com/events/enshrinement-2023.

    (Release via HOF)

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    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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