The flamboyant former Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman and European star Arvydas Sabonis head this year’s class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Rodman and Sabonis were joined by fellow former NBA players Chris Mullin, Artis Gilmore and Tom Sanders as members of this year’s class. Harlem Globetrotter Reece “Goose” Tatum and NBA coach Tex Winter were also part of the large contingent named on Monday.
The class will be formally inducted in Springfield, Massachusetts, in August.
Photo: AFP
“It’s cool, man. It’s a great feeling,” Rodman said.
Rodman, who turns 50 next month, was considered one of the best two-way players in the NBA and was twice named defensive player of the year. He was also known for his outrageous behavior and hard partying.
Rodman, who dated Madonna and was married briefly to Carmen Electra, showed up for the announcement wearing jeans, a leopard scarf and a white shirt with gold sequined cuffs.
In 2000, Rodman pleaded guilty to drink driving and in 2008 he was arrested on domestic violence charges. He has also been in and out of drug rehabilitation treatment centers.
Mullin was a member of the 1992 US Olympic basketball team.
“The biggest thing is my coaches,” Mullin said. “Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca at St John’s, in the NBA, I had so many great people to look up to.”
Sabonis, of Lithuania, was named Euroleague’s MVP and was two-time European Player of the Year.
He was considered one of the top passing centers of all-time and won Olympic gold while playing for the former Soviet Union. He also played in the NBA for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Winter was also part of nine NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.
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