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Tomjanovich relieved after finally getting HOF nod: 'Complete jubilation'

Garrett Ellwood / National Basketball Association / Getty

Don't ever underestimate the heart of a Hall of Famer.

Rudy Tomjanovich, longtime Houston Rockets player and head coach, candidly expressed his relief at being one of nine members announced as the Basketball Hall of Fame's class of 2020 after years of coming up just short.

"It was a very suspenseful day because I've been in this position before and I got the, 'Sorry, not this year' response," Tomjanovich said Saturday on ESPN.

He continued, "The first thing that happened was an unbelievable sigh of relief and then slowly - but very powerfully - complete jubilation! We're going to Springfield!"

"What do you think?" Tomjanovich added as he high-fived his dogs.

Tomjanovich was a finalist for induction in 2017 and 2018 but failed to reach the last stage of voting in 2019.

The 71-year-old spent his entire 11-year playing career with the Rockets franchise, dating back to its time in San Diego. He averaged 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and two assists in 768 games and earned five All-Star selections from 1970-81.

After retirement, he took up a scouting role with Houston before eventually assuming head coaching duties. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995. The latter spurred Tomjanovich's famous "heart of a champion" quote, as the Rockets won the championship despite finishing the regular season as the West's sixth seed.

He still holds the all-time record for wins by a Rockets coach with 503. He also steered Team USA to a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

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