Kobe Bryant, the iconic basketball legend who tragically died in a helicopter crash on January 26 of this year, had been scheduled to enter the Hall-of-Fame this year alongside two fellow legends, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.

Now, Bryant’s induction ceremony and Hall-of-Fame weekend finally have a date: May 13-15.

The Hall-of-Fame weekend was originally scheduled for August of this year before being pushed back because of the coronavirus situation.

The three NBA legends have a combined tally of 48 All-Star Game selections and 11 NBA titles between them, with Bryant earning five as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, his last coming in 2010.

Bryant won back-to-back Finals MVPs in 2009 and 2010, averaging 26.8 points per game and 27.0 points per game, respectively.

Former WNBA star Tamika Catchings will also be inducted into the hall, as will two-time NBA champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich, who led the Rockets to back-to-back titles in the mid-90s.




Baylor women’s hoops coach Kim Mulkey, 1,000 game winner Barbara Stevens of Bentley University, a five-time women’s coach of the year.

Three-time Final Four coach Eddie Sutton of Oklahoma State will also be inducted into the Hall.

Bryant died in the crash earlier this year along with his daughter Gianna and seven others.

Sutton died on May 23 of natural causes at age 84.

Secretary General of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Patrick Baumann, who died in October 2018, was also chosen to be inducted by the international committee this year.

“The Class of 2020 is undoubtedly one of the most historic of all time and the talent and social influence of these nine honorees is beyond measure,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

“In 2020, the basketball community has suffered the unimaginable loss of iconic figures Commissioner David Stern and Kobe Bryant, as well as the game itself due to COVID-19. We have also banded together like never before in appreciation of the game and those who have made it the uniting force it is today. Today we thank the Class of 2020 for all they have done for the game of basketball and we look forward to celebrating them at Enshrinement in August.”




Tickets to the 2020 Enshrinement Ceremony and all Enshrinement events are on sale and available online at www.hoophall.com or by calling the Basketball Hall of Fame at (413) 231-5513.