Basketball Hall of Fame honoring Lee, Nicholson and other superfans

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Friday that it will honor film director Spike Lee, actors Jack Nicholson and Billy Crystal and real estate developer Alan Horwitz when inducting its Class of 2024.

The group will be honored at a SuperFan Gallery ceremony on Oct. 13, hours before the Hall ushers in its new class of legendary former players and coaches. Founded in 2018, the SuperFan Gallery is located on the second floor of the Basketball Hall of Fame Museum.

Funny announcement from @Hoophall pic.twitter.com/1Cic4OooT4

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 4, 2024

A season ticket holder for the New York Knicks since 1985, Lee signed the morning after New York won the 1985 NBA draft lottery to secure the right to draft then-Georgetown Hoyas star Patrick Ewing. Lee, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker who is also one of the league's most visible courtside fans, cut his teeth at Madison Square Garden with Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller as the guard went for one in Game 5 at Eastern in 1994 A 25-point win in the fourth quarter ensured the conference final.

Nicholson is one of the most well-known members of the Los Angeles Lakers' star-studded fan base. He has been a season ticket holder since the 1970s, before the team's famed Showtime era. The three-time Oscar winner enjoys sitting at the visiting club's bench in his signature sunglasses and has been known to adjust his filming schedule to ensure he gets to as many Lakers games as possible.

Crystal grew up in New York, but his unwavering love for the LA Clippers dates back to his time as a franchise player in San Diego in the late 1970s. The “When Harry Met Sally” and “City Slickers” star even announced a 2018 Clippers-Lakers contest alongside longtime play-by-play man Ralph Lawler. He was a mainstay as the team continued to compete for its first conference or league title.

Horwitz has been a season ticket holder for the Philadelphia 76ers for over 60 years, dating back to the 1960s when the club played its games at the Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center.