Chris Webber, Ben Wallace headline 2019 Hall of Fame finalists
Chris Webber and Ben Wallace were among those announced as finalists for the 2019 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class Friday:
- Paul Westphal (Five-time All-Star)
- Chris Webber (Five-time All-Star)
- Teresa Weatherspoon (Five-time WNBA All-Star)
- Ben Wallace (Four-time Defensive Player of the Year)
- Eddie Sutton (Four-time National Coach of the Year)
- Barbara Stevens (Longtime NCAA basketball coach)
- Jack Sikma (Seven-time All-Star)
- Sidney Moncrief (Two-time Defensive Player of the Year)
- Bobby Jones (Four-time All-Star)
- Marques Johnson (Five-time All-Star)
- Bill Fitch (Two-time NBA Coach of the Year)
- Hugh Evans (28-year NBA Referee)
- Leta Andrews (High school basketball coach)
- Ralph Lawler (2019 Curt Gowdy Media Award - Digital)
- Marc Stein (2019 Curt Gowdy Media Award - Print)
- Harry Glickman (2019 John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Del Harris (2019 John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award)
Webber has been denied a spot in the Naismith Hall of Fame on multiple occasions despite a resume that includes five All-NBA team appearances and the 1994 Rookie of the Year award. He also enjoyed a successful, albeit controversial, college career as a member of Michigan's Fab Five, reaching two NCAA National Championship finals but failing to secure a victory in either game.
Wallace is among the most electric defensive forces in NBA history and played a significant role in the Detroit Pistons' 2004 championship victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Although the 6-foot-9 center failed to crack 10 points per game during a campaign throughout his 16-year career, Wallace was consistently among the top rebounders and shot blockers in the Association for several seasons.
A finalist must receive at least 18 out of 24 votes from the Honors Committee to be inducted. Those who do will be announced as official inductees during the NCAA's Final Four.