SAN FRANCISCO — Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are on the verge of being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. If everything proceeds as planned, both could potentially be honored twice for their impressive careers.
On Friday, the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame revealed that Anthony and Howard are finalists for the upcoming Class of 2025. They have received nominations not only for their individual achievements but also for their contributions to the 2008 U.S. Olympic basketball team, famously known as the “Redeem Team,” which secured the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo, who served as the managing director of the 2008 Olympic team, commented on the experience, saying, “Whenever you have a group come together for a shared goal, it often leads to remarkable outcomes. I have recollections of that time, from hearing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ to seeing the flag raised — all those moments felt like true fulfillment.”
Among those also recognized as finalists were renowned female basketball players and Olympic champions Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore, and Jennifer Azzi. Bird boasts an impressive collection of five Olympic gold medals, Fowles amassed four, Moore brought home two, and Azzi was a member of the gold-winning team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Colangelo acknowledged the significant achievements of these female athletes, stating, “Their success, whether in championships or Olympic gold, and their longevity in the sport exemplifies the legacy of both basketball and women’s basketball.”
The North American committee also selected other finalists, including Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, known for his two NCAA championships at Florida; Gonzaga coach Mark Few; retired NBA referee Danny Crawford; and basketball legends Marques Johnson and Buck Williams. Jerry Welsh, who inspired his Potsdam team to NCAA Division III titles in 1981 and 1986, was recognized as well.
Steve Babiarz, a member of Welsh’s championship team in 1986, expressed his admiration, stating, “He is not just a coach but a mentor, almost a second father. His primary goal was cultivating successful student-athletes, and 40 years later, we still keep in touch every month. He remains my hero.”
In addition to those mentioned, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison was named a finalist, having been nominated by the Contributors Committee. Longtime Maccabi Tel Aviv star Tal Brody was also included in the finalists. Heat President Pat Riley, a Hall of Fame inductee from 2008, praised Arison’s commitment, saying, “He truly is an outstanding owner. We embody a family environment here.”
The Women’s Veteran Committee nominated Molly Bolin, noted as the first player signed by the Women’s Professional Basketball League, while the International Committee selected former Serbian professional and esteemed coach Dusan Ivkovic, who is already enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame.
The finalists will face one final hurdle: the Hall’s Honors Committee will convene in the coming weeks to cast votes, where a total of 18 from the 24-member panel is required for election. The new class will be publicly announced during the NCAA men’s Final Four scheduled for April 5 in San Antonio.
Colangelo emphasized the significance of being recognized as a finalist, remarking, “This nomination reflects a lifetime of excellence and lasting impact on the sport, going beyond mere statistics. It honors those who have shaped eras and inspired athletes through their dedication and leadership.”
The induction ceremony will take place on September 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, as well as at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
In addition to the finalists, the Hall of Fame revealed recipients of this year’s Curt Gowdy Media Awards. Detroit Pistons announcer George Blaha, CBS analyst Clark Kellogg, sportswriter Michelle Smith, and influential NBA journalist Adrian Wojnarowski were all honored for their contributions to basketball media.
The Curt Gowdy Media Awards celebrate individuals from print, electronic, and transformative media whose work has significantly advanced the sport of basketball. Additionally, longtime Boston Celtics vice president of media and alumni relations Jeff Twiss received the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, recognized as the Hall’s most prestigious honor aside from induction itself.
Blaha has been the voice of the Pistons since 1976, while Kellogg joined CBS Sports in 1993 and has been a significant part of its NCAA Tournament coverage for over 30 years. Smith has contributed her writing to various notable outlets including ESPN and the San Francisco Chronicle, and Wojnarowski transitioned from a well-known journalist to becoming the general manager for the men’s basketball team at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.
Twiss has been with the Celtics organization since 1981, during which they have celebrated four NBA championships.
