The Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame finalists and direct inductees in the class of 2015 have been announced. Louis Dampier, Lindsay Gaze, Tom Heinsohn, John Isaacs and George Ravelling have been inducted while Spencer Haywood, Tim Hardaway, Dikembe Mutombo, Kevin Johnson, John Callipari, Lisa Leslie, Dick Bavetta, Bill Fitch, Robert Hughes, Leta Andrews, Bo Ryan and Jo Jo White are the finalists.
John Calipari, Dikembe Mutombo among Basketball Hall of Fame finalists
Spencer Haywood will have another shot at an overdue induction while Dikembe Mutombo has reached finalist status for the first time.
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It’s the second time in a row the controversial Haywood has been named finalist, after missing the final cut for induction last year. Haywood took the NBA to court for his right to enter the league without having to wait four years after graduating high school, paving the way for the one-and-done rule that is in place now. He also battled cocaine use during his playing career.
Hardaway and Johnson were also finalists last year but didn’t make it. It’s the first time Leslie, Andrews, Bavetta, Calipari, Hughes, Ryan, Mutombo and White have made it this far in the process. It’s hard to say who will make it but Leslie looks like a lock thanks to a remarkable career that included four Olympic gold medals, two WNBA championships and three WNBA MVP awards.
The 2015 Hall of Fame class will be announced April 4th.
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