Lefty Driesell, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and Grant Hill are among the 13-member class that will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September. See photos of some of the inductees.
Former Maryland men’s basketball coach Lefty Driesell, third from right, watches alongside his family as a banner honoring his career is unveiled in the rafters during a ceremony before an NCAA college basketball game between Maryland and Ohio State, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in College Park, Md. He is among the 13 others that will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
FILE – In this April 8, 2014, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in Los Angeles. Nash announced his retirement Saturday, March 21, 2015 after a 19-year NBA career that included two MVP awards. The 41-year-old Canadian made the announcement Saturday in a letter on The Players’ Tribune, a website where he is a senior producer. Nash played in just 65 games over the last three seasons with the Lakers due to injuries. His announcement was a long-expected formality.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File
This Jan. 15, 2018 photo shows Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd looking on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards in Washington. The Bucks have relieved Kidd from his head coaching duties, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
FILE – In this Tuesday, March 8, 2011 file photo, Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill (33) shoots between Houston Rockets’ Chuck Hayes (44) and Chase Budinger (10) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix. Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, fellow star point guard Jason Kidd, Grant Hill and Ray Allen are among six first-year candidates for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
(AP Photo/Matt York, File)
AP Photo/Matt York, File
FILE – In this Jan. 6, 2012, file photo, Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce (34), Kevin Garnett (5) and Ray Allen (20) wait for play to resume after a timeout in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Boston. There have been superteams that found winning formulas before, like Boston when Allen and Garnett joined Pierce.
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File
Detroit Pistons head coach Maurice Cheeks watches play in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, in Dallas.
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
Seattle Storm’s Tina Thompson, right, is embraced by Chicago Sky players following a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, in Seattle. The Storm won 75-60. Thompson, the all-time scoring leader in the WNBA, became the first and only player to reach 7,000 career points. She reached the milestone during the first half of their game.
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
Golden State Warriors President and Chief of Operations Rick Welts before Game 3 of a Western Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs in Oakland, Calif., Friday, May 10, 2013.
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Philadelphia 76ers president Rod Thorn speaks during a news conference at the NBA basketball team’s training facility Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Philadelphia.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
The Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi, right, drives past the Seattle Storm’s Katie Smith during a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011, in Phoenix. The Mercury defeated the Storm 81-79.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
Boston Celtics forward Dino Radja, center, threads between Houston Rockets guard Clyde Drexler, right, and guard Sam Cassell while driving to the basket in the first half of NBA exhibition season action in Boston, Wednesday October 25, 1995.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Coach Lefty Driesell, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and Grant Hill are among the 13-member class that will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September.
The Hall of Fame made the announcement Saturday before the NCAA Final Four semifinals.
The inductees also include Ray Allen, Maurice Cheeks, Tina Thompson, Charlie Scott, longtime executive Rick Welts, NBA executive Rod Thorn, Katie Smith, the late Ora Mae Washington and Croatian star Dino Radja.
Nash and Kidd were two of the greatest point guards of their generation. Nash is a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player from Canada and an eight-time All-Star. Kidd earned 10 All-Star selections.
Hill won two NCAA titles at Duke and seven NBA All-Star selections. Allen is the most prolific 3-point shooter in NBA history and a two-time league champion.
Thompson was the first draft choice in WNBA history and a four-time league champion, while Smith is the top scorer in women’s professional basketball history.
Driesell is the only NCAA coach to win 100 games at four different schools. Scott is a five-time NBA All-Star who also excelled in the ABA. Cheeks is a four-time NBA All-Star and one of the greatest defensive point guards in hoops history.
Welts has worked in several aspects of the professional game, including the launch of the WNBA. Thorn has a lengthy career as a player, coach and executive.
Radja was one of the greatest European players of his generation, and he played four seasons for the Boston Celtics.
Born in 1898, Washington was a spectacular athlete who excelled at tennis but also played on 11 consecutive Women’s Colored Basketball World’s Championship teams.
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