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Sunday, April 05, 2020, 09:55
Bryant, Duncan and Garnett headline Hall of Fame class
By Reuters
Sunday, April 05, 2020, 09:55 By Reuters

Former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant talks during a news conference before an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles, Dec 18, 2017. (AP PHOTO / CHRIS CARLSON)

The late Kobe Bryant was selected on Saturday as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

The 18-time NBA All Star, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Jan 26, is part of a nine-member class that includes multiple All-Star selections Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.

ALSO READ: Bryant named Basketball Hall of Fame finalist, 3 weeks after death

Obviously, we wish he was here with us to celebrate, but it’s definitely the peak of his NBA career. Every accomplishment he had as an athlete was a stepping stone to be here

Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s widow

“Obviously, we wish he was here with us to celebrate, but it’s definitely the peak of his NBA career. Every accomplishment he had as an athlete was a stepping stone to be here,” Bryant’s widow Vanessa Bryant told ESPN.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Tamika Catchings, coaches Eddie Sutton, Rudy Tomjanovich, Kim Mulkey, Barbara Stevens and longtime Swiss FIBA executive Patrick Baumann, who died in 2018, also were selected and will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts on Aug 29.

“The Class of 2020 is undoubtedly one of the most historic of all time and the talent and social influence of these nine honourees is beyond measure,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bryant was a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and earned Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012.

Duncan, a 15-time NBA All-Star, also was a five time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs where he played for 19 years.

Garnett, a 15-time All-Star, drew acclaim for his rebounding and defensive ability with the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Catchings was a 10-time WNBA All-Star during her 14-year career with the Indiana Fever.

San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (L) poses against Los Angeles Clippers DeAndre Jordan during the first half of their first round NBA playoff game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on May 2, 2015. (RINGO CHIU / AFP)

Sutton was the first college coach to lead four different teams to the NCAA Tournament.

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Tomjanovich spent 34 consecutive seasons with the Houston Rockets as a player, assistant coach and then as head coach from 1992-2003.

Mulkey led Baylor University to three women’s collegiate titles and Stevens coached Bentley University to 22 25-win seasons and 10 trips to the Division II Fab Four, including a national championship in 2014.

Milwaukee Bucks Jabari Parker (R) guards Brooklyn Nets Kevin Garnett during their NBA game Nov 19, 2014 at the Barclay Center in New York. (DON EMMERT / AFP)

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