NBA stars of the past decade such as Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal and Yao Ming hall call may be coming a lot sooner than expected.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is expected to announce a one-year reduction in eligibility wait time, which would undoubtedly lead to the enshrinement of A.I and Shaq as first ballot hall of fame inductees.
Via Hoophall.com
After recommendations from our Election Process Committee, consisting of highly respected Hall of Famers and board members, three changes to the enshrinement process have been approved in the best interest of the game, including to acknowledge our many deserving candidates in a more timely manner upon the conclusion of their careers, said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This will allow the best in the game to be welcomed into the Hall of Fame with a timelier context and higher historical relevance to be celebrated by fans that have supported them over the years.
Our previous requirement for Players was to be retired for five full seasons, when in reality the schedule of the process led to a timetable of six calendar years after retirement, said Doleva. This is well in excess of our major sports Hall of Fame counterparts and it is time for these legends to be recognized in a more timely manner.
Inductees are set to be announced during this seasons NBA All-Star game in February. Winners will announced in early April, while the enshrinement ceremony will take place on a date to be named in September.
