Kobe Bryant, 2 others inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

Baskstball icons Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan headline the 2020 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class.

Per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic, a formal announcement will come Saturday. The induction ceremony is scheduled during enshrinement weekend from Aug. 28-30.

Given the amount of star power among the first-time eligible nominees this year, the Hall of Fame Selection Committee altered its process by suspending the direct election categories to streamline the process and “provide each enshrinee with the recognition and notoriety he or she deserves upon election.”

Bryant will be the headliner, though his enshrinement will surely have a somber tone in the wake of his tragic death, alongside eight others, in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.

Even before the official voting took place, Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo announced that Bryant would be inducted this year.

In 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant ranks fourth in NBA history with 33,643 points, fifth in field goals made (11,719) and 12th in points per game (25.0). He also won five championships, two NBA Finals MVP and the 2007-08 NBA MVP.

His 18 appearances in the All-Star Game rank second in NBA history. He’s tied with LeBron James for most All-NBA selections (15) and is tied with Karl Malone for second-most first-team All-NBA selections (11).

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