Kobe Bryant’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony has been rescheduled from May 13th to 15th. Bryant will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame with two other legendary players of his era in Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Between the three players, they have a combined 48 All-Star Game selections and 11 NBA championships making this year’s class a historically strong one.
Originally scheduled for August in Springfield, Massachusetts the induction ceremony was postponed like many events were in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bryant who tragically died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, along with daughter Gianna and seven others will be a bittersweet induction for many around the world.
“It’s (an) incredible accomplishment and honor,” Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, told ESPN. “We’re extremely proud of him. Obviously, we wish he was here with us to celebrate.
“But it’s definitely the peak of his NBA career and every accomplishment he had as an athlete was a stepping stone to being here.”
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Kobe Bryant’s Basketball Hall of Fame Resume
Stats: 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG in 20 seasons.
Accolades: 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 12-time All-Defensive, 4-time All-Star MVP, 2-time Finals MVP, 2008 NBA MVP and 5-time NBA champion.
Considered by many to be arguably the greatest Laker of all time, Bryant has been a surefire hall of famer since he last suited up for Los Angeles. The 2008 NBA MVP has an unquestionable Hall of Fame resume that has been bolstered by incredible individual statistics and awards, along with 5 NBA championships.
An offensive juggernaut since his first game in the NBA, Bryant transformed himself over the last half of his career to become an elite two way player. Gathering 12 All-Defensive awards, Bryant was in a truly legendary category of shooting guards who were not just great offensive players, but also great defenders.
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement, “No amount of words can fully describe what Kobe Bryant meant to the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe was not only a proven winner and a champion, he gave everything he had to the game of basketball. His fierce competitiveness, work ethic and drive were unmatched.
“Those qualities helped Kobe lead us to five titles — and have now brought him to the Hall of Fame, where he will be enshrined with the greatest to have ever played the game. No one deserves it more.” – ESPN
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A historically strong Basketball Hall of Fame Class
This year’s upcoming Hall of Fame class is one that is truly special, headlined by 4 generational talents that all won championships in their respective leagues.
Tim Duncan is a five-time NBA champion and 15-time NBA All-Star with the San Antonio Spurs. Duncan is the only player in NBA history with at least 1,000 wins with one team.
Kevin Garnett, a 15-time NBA All-Star who won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.
Tamika Catchings, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and 2012 WNBA champion with the Indiana Fever. She won the 2011 WNBA MVP.
