A player can be selected into the Hall of fame only four years after his career has ended and this year was the first time Kobe Bryant was eligible. Bryant played his last match in 2016.
That a player who took five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers was selected was considered obvious, but the honors rating is extra special given that it is now happening posthumously.
- It is an incredible achievement and honor and we are extremely proud of him, says Vanessa Bryant
Kobe Bryant was killed along with his daughter and seven others when their helicopter crashed on January 26 this year.
- Of course we wish he had been here with us and celebrated this, says Vanessa Bryant. We are incredibly proud of him and there is some consolation that he will probably be elected to the Hall of Fame this year.
A total of nine people will be elected to the Hall of Fame this year, ESPN writes. Including two more NBA stars; Tim Duncan who won five titles with San Antonio and Kevin Garnett who had a 21 year career in the NBA and won the title once with Boston.
The Hall of fame itself will take place during a ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts, on August 29.