One day after the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame officially inducted the historic Class of 2020 — including Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Tamika Catchings — an impressive Class of 2021 was named by the Hall.

NBA players include  Chris Bosh, Toni Kukoc (International), Paul Pierce, Ben Wallace and Chris Webber.

WNBA players include Lauren Jackson and Yolanda Griffith.

Coaches include Rick Adelman, Bill Russell and Jay Wright.

Russell was inducted as a player in 1975 and will become just the fourth inductee in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a NBA player and a head coach, joining Lenny Wilkens, Tommy Heinsohn and Bill Sharman.

John Wooden was also inducted as both a player and head coach, but neither was for an NBA tenure.

Russell, the first African American head coach in NBA history, did not accept his Hall of Fame player ring until November 2019.

"In a private ceremony w/my wife & close friends A.Mourning @AnnMeyers @billwalton & others I accepted my #HOF ring. In ‘75,” he posted to social media at the time.

“I refused being the 1st black player to go into the @Hoophall I felt others before me should have that honor. Good to see progress; ChuckCooperHOF19,” a reference to Charles “Chuck” Cooper, who on April 25, 1950,  made history when he became the first African-American player to be drafted by an NBA team, the Boston Celtics.

Cooper was inducted in to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

The Class of 2021 is scheduled ti be enshrined on Sept 11. Unlike the Class of 2020 induction ceremony — which due to COVID-19 protocols took place in Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT. — the Class of 2021 in the Basketball Hall of Fame and MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass.

The Class of 2021 Enshrinement festivities will begin in Mohegan Sun Sept. 10 with the Enshrinement Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala. (Details here.)

“For the first time in our history, we’ll enshrine two Classes in one calendar year,” John Doleva, president and CEO for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, said via the organization.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the Class of 2021 to Springfield— the Birthplace of Basketball — where we can celebrate them and honor their remarkable achievements and contributions to the game.”

Also included in the Class of 2021:

Early African American Pioneers Committee Direct Elect: Clarence “Fats” Jenkins

Veterans Committee Direct Elect: Bob Dandridge

Women’s Veterans Committee Direct: Elect Pearl Moore

Contributor Committee Direct Elections: Val Ackerman, Cotton Fitzsimmons, Howard Garfinkel

“Words cannot express my gratitude to everyone who has been on this journey with me,” Bosh, an 11-time NBA All-Star and a two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013), posted to social media.

“Basketball has been one of the greatest gifts allotted to me in this life. This honor is my legacy. Thank you, @Hoophall, @nba + to every one of you that has supported me throughout my career.”

The Basketball Hall of Fame also named the 2021 Curt Gowdy Media Award recipients: veteran Boston Celtics play-by-play commentator Mike Gorman, women’s basketball media pioneer Mel Greenberg and iconic Madison Square Garden photographer George Kalinsky.

Premium Sponsors of Enshrinement 2021 include Nike, Baron Championship Rings, Mohegan Sun and Panini.

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