Chauncey Billups to be inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

Buffs legend gets his place in Springfield after a outstanding NBA career

Dec 6, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Chauncey Billups will be co-headlining the newest Basketball Hall of Fame class along with Vince Carter in 2024. The Colorado Buffaloes alum played 17 seasons in the NBA, and was a pivotal member of the Detroit Pistons, who won the title in 2004. The “King of Park Hill” was a five time All-Star, as well as a member of three All-NBA teams.

Billups was a stud during his days in Boulder. After being named a second-team All-American, he was drafted third overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1997 NBA Draft. From there, Billups became a journeyman around the NBA, playing for the Raptors, T-Wolves, and Nuggets before signing with the Pistons in 2002.

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Chauncey was an intricate player on the team. Helping lead Detroit to its third title in franchise history and was named Finals MVP, which helped solidify his moniker of “Mr. Big Shot.” He finished his NBA career, averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists per game. Billups still ranks sixth in NBA/ABA history with his free-throw percentage of 89.4%. The Pistons, as well as CU, has retired his number.

Billups is in his third season as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. He the CU player to be inducted into the hall. The remainder of the inductees will be unveiled during the NCAA men’s Final Four on Saturday. The 2024 class will be inducted at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame August 16-17.