The 2022 Hall of Fame is gradually being unveiled, as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s steering committee has revealed the identity of the 11 finalists, eligible for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame on September 10. A less flamboyant list than in 2020 or 2021, but which still includes some pretty names.
Starting with that of Manu Ginobili (quadruple NBA champion, double All-Star, 6th man of the year 2008), main headliner of this vintage and finalist for the very first time. Instead of Tim Hardaway (five-time All-Star), Michael Cooper (five-time NBA champion, Defender of the Year 1987) and Johnson Brands (quintuple All-Star), all three already offered in the past, without being inducted on arrival.
To support them, the coaches George Karl (Coach of the Year 2013), Bob Huggins (NCAA), Marianne Stanley (WNBA Coach of the Year 2022) and Leta Andrews (the winningest in American high school history) will also be there. Same for the players. Swing Cash (three-time WNBA champion, four-time All-Star) and Lindsay Whalen (four-time WNBA champion, five-time All-Star), as well as for the referee Hugh Evans.
Note that the names of the official members of the 2022 vintage of the Hall of Fame will be revealed on April 2, on the sidelines of the NCAA “Final Four”.
As a reminder, the election process for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is complex. It is thus organized into four committees: a “North America” committee, a “Women” committee, an “International” committee and a “Veterans” committee.
And while the “Women”, “International” and “Veterans” committees can only nominate two names each, the “North America” committee alone can nominate up to ten names. They are then forwarded to an honor committee made up of 24 members, who will then vote for each name submitted to them.
To be inducted, a player must obtain at least 18 votes, out of the 24 of the honorary committee.
