This year, some pretty names entered the Hall of Fame (Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups, Michael Cooper and Jerry West), but the next vintage could be even more prestigious.
So, we learned this Thursday that Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol And Amar'e Stoudemire in men, but also Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles And Chamique Holdsclaw among women, were for the very first time eligible to join the Basketball Pantheon in 2025. Without forgetting Doc Rivers, Billy Donovan or even Mark Few among coaches.
Like a year ago, the American team from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the famous “Redeem Team”, is also in the list. Same thing for Penny Hardaway, Bill Laimbeer and Shawn Marion, who had not been able to enter in other years. In total, no less than 189 names can hope to join Springfield in a year.
The final verdict in April
This first list will then be refined during All-Star Weekend, February 14, with the announcement of the finalists. To know the final (and so secret) choice of the committee and therefore the new entrants for September, you will have to wait until April 5, during the NCAA Final Four.
Note that, to join the Hall of Fame, you will no longer have to wait three full seasons after retirement, but only two, as announced by its president, Jerry Colangelo.
