Late, great basketball legend Kobe Bryant was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.
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Along with the great who passed away on January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett were also inducted into the Class of 2020.
Recognised posthumously, Bryant was an 18-time All-Star, five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, two-time scoring champion and one-time MVP. With USA Basketball, Bryant earned an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and 2012.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Class of 2020 Hall of Fame ceremony was rescheduled, but these basketball heroes have finally been enshrined. The current bracket of the Hall of Fame could be classified as arguably the greatest of all time.
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Joining them the aforementioned trio will be Eddie Sutton, Rudy Tomjanovich, Tamika Catchings, Kim Mulkey, Barbara Stevens and Patrick Baumann.
It was Bryant’s wife Vanessa, who made the speech during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. She shared how much the enshrinement would mean to Kobe and the impact of his legacy on the basketball world.
“You did it. You’re in the Hall of Fame now. You are a true champ. You’re not just an MVP. You’re an all-time great. I’m so proud of you. I love you forever and always. Kobe. Bean. Bryant.”