Former Wizards Coach Among Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists

Headlined by Vince Carter the class of Basketball Hall of Fame finalists includes one member of Washington Wizards history.

The Washington Wizards are currently undertaking an effort to climb out from the basement of the NBA and promising rookie guard Bilal Coulibaly is wrapping up his first All-Star Weekend.

If the Wizards guard can make his way to future NBA All-Star weekends then perhaps he'll be a key part of what eventually becomes a successful organization once again.

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One member of the franchise's history in Washington - albeit a less than successful one - is part of the 15-member group of finalists being considered for enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, announced on Friday.

"Doug Collins, a four-time All-Star, had his playing career cut short by injury," says NBA.com. "He transitioned into coaching, amassing more than 400 victories and twice working with Michael Jordan in Chicago and Washington. He also is known as one of the most respected and familiar voices of the league from his work with almost off of the NBA’s network partners."

Gregg Popovich gives his speech as he is inducted into the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame at Symphony Hall / Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The Wizards haven't had a winning season since 2017-18 with Scott Brooks leading the team as its head coach. 

Four coaches before Brooks, the franchise had turned its faith over to Collins who had constructed four winning seasons in six years spanning the late 1980s and mid-to-late 1990s. 

Lasting just two seasons Collins produced back-to-back 37-45 records and was out of coaching after that until 2010 when he joined the Philadelphia 76ers pre-'The Process'.

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If enshrined, Collins would be the 18th member of the Hall of Fame with ties to Washington joining other notables like Paul Pierce, Chris Webber, Bernard King, and of course, Michael Jordan.

The inductees will be announced on April 6th at the NCAA Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona.

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