Rick Pitino selected to Basketball Hall of Fame

The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal | USATODAY

ATLANTA -- University of Louisville coach Rick Pitino is expected to be selected for enshrinement into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

The official announcement will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Atlanta. The 60-year-old Pitino, who was also a finalist last year, could become the first coach to win NCAA national titles at two schools later that day.

Kentucky won one of its eight NCAA titles in 1996 under Pitino.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said Thursday that Pitino's induction was long overdue.

"Should've been (in) last year, but I don't see any way in the world that he wouldn't be in the Hall of Fame," Boeheim said. "He's got better credentials than probably 80% of the coaches in there."

Pitino guided the Cardinals to their 10th Final Four appearance and the third in his 12 seasons at the helm. The Cards take on Wichita State Saturday and if they win would face the winner of Syracuse-Michigan on Monday night.

According to news reports, former University of Houston coach Guy Lewis, former UNLV and Fresno State coach Jerry Tarkanian and NBA defensive specialist Gary Payton (SuperSonics, Lakers and Heat) also made the Hall.

The Hall of Fame in February had named 12 finalists for 2013. Finalists needed votes from 18 of 24 members of the Honors Committee to be selected.

Enshrinement ceremonies are Sept. 8 in Springfield, Mass.

The 2013 finalists:

Players: Maurice Cheeks, Tim Hardaway, Spencer Haywood, Bernard King, Gary Payton, Mitch Richmond and women's player Dawn Staley.

Coaches: Rick Pitino, Tom Heinsohn, Guy Lewis, Jerry Tarkanian and women's coach Sylvia Hatchell.