Melo, Howard, Bird, Moore Atop Basketball Hall Of Fame Class Of ’25 Nominees
Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 03:07PM By Barry Janoff
December 19, 2024: The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has released its full list of candidates for the Class of ’25, and this could be the most lauded induction ceremony since 2021.
Former NBA players Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, current Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers and WNBA icons Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles and Chamique Holdsclaw are among the first-time nominees for the Class of ’25.
First-time nominees also include former NBA players Marc Gasol, Amar’e Stoudemire and Robert Horry; Gonzaga coach Mark Few; former Florida coach (and current Chicago Bulls head coach) Billy Donovan; and long-time NBA referee Danny Crawford.
Among the Veteran Nominees, Ralph Sampson, Gus Williams and World B. Free are first-time nominees.
There are 189 candidates under consideration across all categories.
The Class of ’21 was led by first-time nominees Kobe Bryant (posthumously), Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.
The Hall also unveiled an update to its eligibility requirements, reducing the waiting period for player candidates from three full seasons out of the game to two seasons.
The change was unanimously approved by the Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors.
“To better recognize the distinguished careers of potential first-ballot nominees in a more timely manner, the board has appropriately shortened the waiting period,” Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo said via the organization.
“We are excited about this change and believe that honoring individuals while their contributions are still fresh in people’s minds is both meaningful and impactful.”
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame said the Class of 2025 Enshrinement Ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 6, in Springfield, Mass.
The Class of ’25 Finalists will be shared Feb. 14, as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.
The Class of ’25 inductees will be unveiled April 5 during the NCAA Men’s Final Four Weekend in San Antonio.
Enshrinement Weekend will begin at the Mohegan Sun Sept. 5, with the Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala, inclusive of the Class of '25 jacket and ring presentation and the annual Hall of Fame Awards.
The Enshrinement Ceremony will take place the following day in Springfield’s historic Symphony Hall and will be available to a global audience.
VIP Packages for the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend go on sale Feb. 14.
All single-event tickets to the Ceremony, Tip-Off Celebration, and Awards Gala, as well as other ancillary events, will go on sale April 5.
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