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Basketball Hall of Fame 2024: Ceremony recap, speech highlights and reactions | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

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Basketball Hall of Fame 2024: Ceremony recap, speech highlights and reactions | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

SPRINGFIELD, MA – OCTOBER 13: Tracy McGrady and inductees Chauncey Billups and Vince Carter pose for a photo during the 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on October 13, 2024 in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony for the Class of 2024 on Sunday, honoring some of the sport's most important players and contributors.

The introduction of the high-flying Vince Carter was arguably the highlight of the day, and his speech ranged from talking about his cousin and former teammate Tracy McGrady to endorsing his hero Julius “Dr. J” Erving to introduce him:

“Thank you for your cheers and boos,” Carter said during his speech. “It was a motivating force to make it to 22 years in the league.”

Michael Jordan also gave him some love during the ceremony:

Perhaps most notably, he confirmed some news that will mean a lot to fans of his first team, the Toronto Raptors.

“Without a doubt I will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Raptor,” he said.

Alykhan Khamisa Ravjiani (AK) @AlykhanKR

“Without a doubt I’m going into the Hall of Fame as a Raptor” – Vince Carter
Absolute goosebumps. The Carter Effect will forever be a cornerstone of basketball growth in Canada. #WeTheNorth

Sherron Shabazz @Sherron Shabazz

I liked Vince Carter's speech. touching.

Meanwhile, a number of Los Angeles Lakers legends were in the house to induct the late, great Jerry West into the Hall of Fame for the third time, this time as an executive.

His son Jonnie West expressed touching words in honor of his father:

N.B.A @N.B.A

“Contributor to the game of basketball. This is you in every way and this will live on forever.”
Jonnie West, son of the late Jerry West, with a beautiful closing note to Jerry's third @Hoophall Induction 🤍 pic.twitter.com/OAjU5SkJyV

And Michael Cooper, who was also honored as a player on Sunday, paid tribute to West:

Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers

“The logo. The icon of our game. He was a friend and a mentor. And I owe him more than he can ever understand.”@ShowtimeCooper He expresses his gratitude for the great Jerry West 💜 pic.twitter.com/188jF58cDI

Cooper got quite an introduction himself:

Former WNBA star Seimone Augustus led one of the day's moments by leading the hall in song while thanking and honoring her parents:

espnW @espnW

Seimone Augustus began her Hall of Fame speech with a song dedicated to her hometown of Baton Rouge, LA 🎵 pic.twitter.com/t2ppHEGBNp

Current Portland Trail Blazers head coach and former star point guard Chauncey Billups praised the city of Detroit and his former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Ben Wallace during his speech:

Doug Collins, who was inducted into the Hall as a coach and presenter, took the opportunity to talk about what the game of basketball meant to him:

Michael Grange @michaelgrange

Doug Collins tells stories the size of a book here @hoophall. Amazing stuff. From making free throws for a gold medal in 1972 in one of the most controversial games in sports history; Coaching by Michael Jordan, first meeting with Dr. J and so on. Wild.

Also honored at the ceremony were:

Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever owner Herb Simon.

Harley Redin, head coach at Wayland Baptist University.

Charles Smith, Peabody High School coach.

Former Syracuse Nationals, Cleveland Pipers, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks player Dick Barnett.

WNBA and Australian star Michele Timms.

Bo Ryan, Wisconsin men's basketball coach.

And former Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets player Walter Davis.

Cooper perhaps best summed up what it feels like to be inducted into the Hall.

“I feel like I’m welcomed into a great family” he said during his speech. “One with familiar faces. I am grateful and honored. Thank you to the hall and to all of you.”

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