Inside the Article:
The NBA Hall of Fame Class of 2023 candidate list features four former NBA players expected to be selected in their first year as candidates: Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Pau Gasol, and Tony Parker. Former Detroit Piston and current Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, who has been a candidate for the Hall of Fame every year since 2018, is also on the list.
Why It Matters:
Billups has been a candidate for the Hall of Fame every year since 2018 and has strong support from his star player, Damian Lillard, who said, “How can he not be in the Hall of Fame? Everywhere he went he won…He’s done everything. Why not?”
- The Hall of Fame recognizes the most influential figures in the history of the sport.
- A selection to the Hall of Fame is a high honor that acknowledges a player’s or coach’s contributions to the game and their lasting impact on the sport.
“I’m honored to be even mentioned in the Hall of Fame discussion…I do feel like my journey is very unique.”
Chauncey Billups on his Hall of Fame Candidacy
Chauncey Billups: By the Numbers
- Billups has five NBA All-Star appearances and was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player once.
- He averaged 15.2 points and 5.4 assists in his 17-year NBA career.
- Billups has a 637-406 overall regular-season record as an NBA player.
- He won the 2009 NBA Sportsmanship Award and was the 2013 NBA Teammate of the Year.
- Billups was a three-time Mr. Basketball of Colorado in high school and a 1995 McDonald’s All-American.
- His No. 4 jersey was retired by the University of Colorado after he averaged 18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists from 1995 to 1997.
- Billups led the USA Basketball team to a FIBA World Cup championship in 2010, serving as the starting point guard and veteran leader.
The NBA Hall of Fame will announce the Class of 2023 on April 1 at the NCAA Final Four in Houston. The enshrinement weekend is scheduled for August 11 in Uncasville, Connecticut, and August 12 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
In addition to Billups, Nowitzki, Wade, Gasol, and Parker, other former NBA players on the list of Class of 2023 finalists include Tom Chambers, Michael Cooper, Mark Eaton, Michael Finley, Mark Jackson, Marques Johnson, Maurice Lucas, Shawn Marion, Reggie Theus, Buck Williams, and John Williamson.
