Candidates Now Eligible After Three Full Seasons of Retirement

SPRINGFIELD, MA – On the Birthday of Basketball, December 21st, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will announce its list of eligible candidates for the Class of 2018 with modifications to its enshrinement process. The most significant modification will allow Players, Referees and Coaches to now become eligible on the ballot for Hall of Fame honors after three full seasons of retirement. The change was one of two proposals for change presented by the Election Process Committee and passed unanimously by the Hall of Fame Board.

“After recommendations from our Election Process Committee consisting of highly respected Hall of Famers and board members, we have elected to accept the nominations of our many worthy candidates in a timelier fashion upon the conclusion of their careers,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “By allowing players, coaches and referees to become eligible after three seasons of retirement, the Hall of Fame will be able to celebrate the best in the game at an opportune time with the fans who have supported them throughout their careers on the hardwood.”

The second reform to Hall of Fame eligibility requires coaches to have coached for 25 years and reached the minimum age of 60. This will allow the Honors Committee to evaluate a larger body of work for those coaches nominated. This change will take effect in 2020, allowing a grace period for coaches who are nearing Hall of Fame eligibility based on previous standards.

“A coach’s career can encompass many levels of the game, with each position carrying its own story and accolades,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “The Board has agreed that it’s best to evaluate a more complete body of work when considering coaches for Hall of Fame nomination, thus the implementation of the new minimums - 25 years of coaching and 60 years of age.”

A complete official list of eligible candidates will be released on December 21, the Birthday of Basketball, on www.hoophall.com. ESPN will highlight this year’s eligible nominees on “The Jump” with Rachel Nichols and Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady on December 21 at 3 p.m. ET. As in years past, Finalists for Class of 2018 will be announced during NBA All-Star Weekend in February in Los Angeles, California. The entire Class of 2018 will be unveiled during the Men’s NCAA Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.

A finalist needs 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. All elected members, along with the direct elects, will be announced at the NCAA Men’s Final Four in San Antonio. The Class of 2018 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball, this September.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.

For more information:

Visit us on the web: www.hoophall.com

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… or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA

ELIGIBILITY:

Candidates must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for Enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hereafter BHOF):

Player: A player must be fully retired for three full seasons before being eligible for Enshrinement. He/she may then be considered for Enshrinement in the fourth season of retirement. Should a player come out of retirement for a short period of time, as defined by the BHOF, his/her case and eligibility for Enshrinement shall be reviewed on an individual basis.

Coach: A coach must be either fully retired for three full seasons or, if still an active coach, have coached as either a fulltime assistant or head coach on the high school and/or college and/or professional level for a minimum of 25 years and reached the minimum age of 60. That person will then be considered for Enshrinement in the fourth season of retirement or 26th year of active coaching after reaching the age of 60.

Referee: A referee must be fully retired for three full seasons or, if still an active referee, have been an active referee for a minimum of 25 years. That person will then be considered for Enshrinement in the fourth season of retirement or 26th year of refereeing.

Contributor: A person is eligible for Enshrinement as a contributor at any time for significant contributions to the game of basketball. What constitutes a "significant contribution" shall be determined by the BHOF, its Board, and/or the Contributor Direct Elect Committee.