NBA legends Yao Ming, Shaquille O'Neal, and Allen Iverson will take their rightful place in the Basketball Hall of Fame after being officially announced as members of the 2016 class on Monday morning.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016
| 2016 Class Member | League/Title |
|---|---|
| Yao Ming | NBA |
| Shaquille O'Neal | NBA |
| Allen Iverson | NBA |
| Tom Izzo | Coach |
| Jerry Reinsdorf | Owner |
| Sheryl Swoopes | WNBA |
| Zelmo Beaty | NBA/ABA |
| Darell Garretson | Official |
| John McLendon | Coach |
| Cumberland Posey | Player |
Related: Shaq's induction into Basketball Hall of Fame was simply a matter of time
While Ming's playing career only lasted 486 games, his impact on the sport went well beyond his contributions on the hardwood. The eight-time NBA All-Star was the face of the Houston Rockets organization, and his endearing personality and larger-than-life size helped shatter cultural barriers and aided in bridging the gap between the league and China.
Related: Inducting Yao Ming into the Hall of Fame is a no-brainer
O'Neal went by many nicknames during his 19 seasons in the league, and was one of the most charismatic and dominant superstars the NBA has ever seen. He won four NBA championships and three Finals MVPs, made 15 All-Star teams and eight All-NBA First Teams, and is a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary team.
Iverson was one of, if not the greatest little man to ever play the game. The former No. 1 overall pick of the Philadelphia 76ers was an unstoppable force on offense, and currently ranks seventh in NBA history in points per game (26.6). He also earned four scoring titles, a Most Valuable Player award in 2001, and 11 All-Star nods.
Related: How Allen Iverson changed the game
Congrats to Allen Iverson on HOF. Nothing like him. The list of top scoring seasons in the 6' 0" and under category. pic.twitter.com/7tkhDNylag
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) April 4, 2016
