David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony for the Class of 2024 on Sunday, honoring some of the most important players and contributors to the sport.
The induction of the high-flying Vince Carter was arguably the highlight of the day, and his speech ranged from speaking about his cousin and former teammate, Tracy McGrady, to his hero Julius “Dr. J” Erving agreeing to introduce him:
“Thank you for your cheers and your boos,” Carter said during his speech. “It’s been a motivating force to make it to 22 years of the league.”
Michael Jordan also gave him some love during the ceremony:
Perhaps most notably, he confirmed a bit of news that will mean quite a lot to the fans of his first team, the Toronto Raptors.
“Without a doubt, I’m going into the Hall of Fame as a Raptor,” he said.
Alykhan Khamisa Ravjiani (AK) @AlykhanKR
“Without a doubt, I’m going into the Hall of Fame as a Raptor” – Vince Carter
Absolute chills. The Carter Effect will forever be a staple of basketball’s growth in Canada. #WeTheNorth
Meanwhile, a number of Los Angeles Lakers legends were in the house to enshrine the late, great Jerry West into the Hall of Fame for a third time, this time as an executive.
His son, Jonnie West, offered touching remarks in honor of his father:
NBA @NBA
“Contributor to the game of basketball. That is you in every single sense and that will live on forever.”
Jonnie West, the late Jerry West’s son, with a beautiful closing remark for Jerry’s 3rd @Hoophall induction 🤍 pic.twitter.com/OAjU5SkJyV
And Michael Cooper, who was also enshrined on Sunday as a player, paid tribute to West:
Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
“The logo. The icon of our game. He was a friend and a mentor. And I owe him more than he can ever understand.”@ShowtimeCooper expressing his gratitude for the great Jerry West 💜 pic.twitter.com/188jF58cDI
Cooper received quite the introduction himself:
Former WNBA star Seimone Augustus led one of the moments of the day, leading the Hall in song, alongside thanking and honoring her parents:
espnW @espnW
Seimone Augustus started her Hall of Fame speech with a song dedicated to her home of Baton Rouge, LA 🎵 pic.twitter.com/t2ppHEGBNp
Current Portland Trail Blazers head coach and former star point guard Chauncey Billups had a shoutout for the city of Detroit and his former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer, Ben Wallace, during his speech:
Doug Collins, who was inducted into the Hall as a coach and broadcaster, took the occasion to speak about what the game of basketball meant to him:
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Doug Collins is telling a book’s worth of stories here @hoophall. Amazing stuff. From making free throws for a gold medal in ’72 in one of the controversial games in sports history; coaching Michael Jordan, first time meeting Dr. J and on and on. Wild.
Also honored at the ceremony were as follows:
Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever owner Herb Simon.
Wayland Baptist University head coach Harley Redin.
Peabody High School coach Charles Smith.
Former Syracuse Nationals, Cleveland Pipers, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks player Dick Barnett.
WNBA and Australian star Michele Timms.
Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan.
And former Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets player Walter Davis.
Cooper perhaps best summed up what it feels like to be inducted into the Hall.
“I feel like I’m being welcomed into an amazing family,” he said during his speech. “One with familiar faces. I am grateful and honored. Thank you to the Hall, and all of you”
