Feb. 12, 2010
RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech alum and NBA great Karl Malone was named a finalist for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, as the 2010 nominee's were announced by the Hall on Friday.
Malone starred at LA Tech from 1982-85 and was a three-time Sporting News All-American while leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 1985. He ranks sixth all-time at LA Tech with 1,716 points in just three seasons, an average of 18.7 for his career.
Malone was a two-time NBA MVP, 14-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist while playing for the Utah Jazz. He joins fellow "Dream Team" member Scottie Pippen as a first-time nominee.
Also headlining the list for 2010 are three legendary teams, including the gold medalist 1960 United States Men's Olympic Team, the gold medalist 1992 United States Men's Olympic "Dream Team" and the All-American Red Heads, a finalist selected by the Women's Committee. The announcement was made Friday in Dallas, Texas, in conjunction with the 2010 NBA All-Star festivities.
The Class of 2010 will be announced on Monday, April 5 at a news conference in Indianapolis prior to the NCAA's Men's Championship game. A Finalist needs 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Class of 2010 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, Mass. on Friday, August 13.
The complete list of finalists includes from the North American Screening Committee: players Dennis Johnson (2005 World Championship Qualifier Team assistasnt coach), Bernard King, Karl Malone (1992 and 1996 Olympic gold medalist), Chris Mullin (1984 and 1992 Olympic gold medalist), Scottie Pippen (1992 and 1996 Olympian) and Jamaal Wilkes; coaches Bob Hurley (1995 USA Junior Select/Hoop Summit Team head coach), Don Nelson (1994 USA World Championship Team head coach) and Tex Winter; contributor Jerry Buss; and the two USA Olympic teams. From the Women's Screening Committee: Cynthia Cooper (1988 and 1992 Olympian), Harley Redin (1959 Pan American Games head coach, 1964 World Championship and 1971 Pan American Games Team head coach) and the All-American Red Heads team. From the International Screening Committee: coach Vladimir Kondrashin and Brazilian Legend Maciel "Ubiratan" Pereira while Richard Guerin and Gus Johnson represent the nominees from the Veteran's Screening Committee.
