Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies Postponed

SPRINGFIELD, MA — The induction of the late Kobe Bryant and eight other greats of the game into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has been postponed due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Bryant, a star player for 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, was killed along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven other people in a helicopter crash Jan. 26 in California. In his first year of eligibility, he was immediately named a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2020, along with Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Eddie Sutton, Rudy Tomjanovich, Tamika Catchings, Kim Mulkey, Barbara Stevens and Patrick Baumann.

Enshrinement Weekend had been scheduled for Aug. 28-30, with several events planned in and near the Hall of Fame and at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. The actual induction ceremony had been set for Saturday, Aug. 29 at Springfield Symphony Hall.

Hall of Fame officials are considering delaying the 2020 enshrinement to either October or next spring. A final decision on new dates is expected by June15.

A recently-released statement from Hall of Fame President/CEO John Doleva reads:

"At this time, I can now confirm that the August 28-30 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies have been postponed. Given the unprecedented challenge of planning in the COVID-19 era, we are exploring several scenarios to accommodate the Class of 2020 ceremony, including postponing the festivities until October or early 2021 as mentioned by Chairman Jerry Colangelo. In accordance with our original event planning timeline, the Hall of Fame will review all options and reserve its final decision to the week of June 15. Further information will be forthcoming at that time. The health and safety of our Class members, returning Hall of Famers and Enshrinement guests is of paramount importance in our decision-making process. Again, we congratulate the highly anticipated Class of 2020 and look forward to gathering to celebrate their tremendous careers and impact on the game when it’s determined safe to do so."