Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Officially Announces Class of 2023

A distinguished list of basketball legends makes up this year’s class.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame made its official announcement of several former NBA and WNBA players as well as coaches that will be inducted into class of 2023.

From the NBA, Heat legend Dwyane Wade became the first player drafted by Miami to earn the honor, and the most recent member to enter in the Hall on the first ballot unanimously. Former two-time NBA champion and six-time All-Stars Pau Gasol and Tony Parker and 14-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki will also be inducted. 

Former WNBA star Becky Hammon, a six-time All-Star, will also be enshrined to the Hall of Fame. Hammon is currently the coach of the WNBA’s reigning champion Aces. 

Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s all-time winningest coach and three-time NBA Coach of the Year, headlines the coaching inductees. He’s joined by longtime women’s basketball coach Gary Blair, who recorded 852 wins, made two Final Four appearances with Arkansas and Texas A&M. Other coaching inductees include: Gene Bess, the all-time winningest college coach from Three Rivers Community College who coached former NBA star Latrell Sprewell; David Hixon, a two-time Division III Coach of the Year at Amherst and Gene Keady, a six-time NCAA Coach of the Year at Purdue.

The silver medalists from the 1976 women’s Olympic basketball team and the late NC State coach and ESPN broadcaster Jim Valvano will also be enshrined into the Hall of Fame as this year’s direct elect committee inductees.

To secure induction into the Hall of Fame, finalists needed to receive 18 of 24 votes from the HOF committee.

The enshrinement ceremony for the class of 2023 will take place on Aug. 12 in Springfield, Mass.