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Mayor Sarno and SPS Scholar Athletes Welcomed Visitors to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Enshrinement Ceremony

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Mayoral Aide and High School Basketball Coach Lavar Click-Bruce joined with Springfield High School Scholar Athletes to greet and congratulate the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021 at the Enshrinement Ceremony held here in Springfield – the birthplace of basketball – over the weekend. Mayor Sarno, joined by his youngest daughter Chiara Sarno, welcomed players, coaches, and visitors to the Enshrinement Ceremony held at the Mass Mutual Center on Saturday.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated, “We love Basketball here in Springfield – ‘the Birthplace.’ It was such an honor to join with some of our Springfield Public School students to welcome so many Basketball greats and their families to our Springfield.”

“I am so very appreciative to Jerry Colangelo, Doc Rivers, Spencer Haywood, Pat Riley, Bill Walton, John Calipari, and ‘voice of the Celtics’ Mike Gorman, among others, for their warmth and friendliness. I am especially grateful to Dwayne Wade and his wife, award winning actress Gabriel Union, who were so gracious, genuine, and humble to my daughter Chiara. I cannot thank 2021 Inductee and Celtics legend Paul Pierce – ‘the Truth’ – enough for his interaction with fans and reciprocating all the love. Congratulations to yet another fantastic Enshrinement class.”

“I also want to extend my gratitude to Jim Naismith, grandson of Dr. James Naismith, for joining us at the Springfield Boys and Girls Club for the special release of Brian Hanni’s children’s story Game Maker: A Creative Kid Becomes the Father of Basketball. Mr. Hanni is the voice of Kansas City Jayhawks Basketball (football, and baseball, too) and all the kids and families at the Boys and Girls Club received an autographed copy of his book. Thank you to all who made this another successful Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement weekend.”

 

The following basketball greats were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2021:

  • Rick Adelman, presented by Vlade Divac (’19), Jack Sikma (’19)
  • Chris Bosh, presented by Ray Allen (’18), Pat Riley (’08)      
  • Paul Pierce, presented by Kevin Garnett (’20)
  • Bill Russell, presented by Charles Barkley (’06), Julius Erving (’93), Spencer Haywood (’15), Alonzo Mourning (’14), Bill Walton (’93), Rick Welts (’18)          
  • Ben Wallace, presented by Larry Brown (’02)
  • Chris Webber, presented by Isiah Thomas (’00)
  • Jay Wright, presented by Charles Barkley (’06), Bill Cunningham (’86), Herb Magee (’11), George Raveling (’15)
  • Yolanda Griffith, presented by Van Chancellor (’07)
  • Lauren Jackson, presented by Sheryl Swoopes (’16)
  • Val Ackerman, presented by Russ Granik (’13), Rick Welts (’18)
  • Howard Garfinkel, presented by John Calipari (’15), Grant Hill (’18), Bobby Hurley (’10)
  • Cotton Fitzsimmons, presented by Charles Barkley (’06), Jerry Colangelo (’04), Phil Knight (’12)
  • Bob Dandridge, presented by Oscar Robertson (’80)
  • Toni Kukoc, presented by Michael Jordan (’09), Jerry Reinsdorf (’16)
  • Pearl Moore, presented by Sylvia Hatchell (’13)
  • Clarence Fats Jenkins, presented by Wayne Embry (’99)

https://www.hoophall.com/

 

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Page last updated:  Tuesday, March 1, 2022 01:32 pm