Amid all of the sad news of sickness and death, the National Basketball Association handed down some happy news on April 4 when the revealed the list of the 2020 NBA Hall of Fame class.

Topping the list are Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan. The three stars were voted into The Hall on their first year of eligibility; as well as, WNBA star Tamika Catchings.

Rudy Tomjanovich, Baylor coach Kim Mulkey, Barbara Stevens, Eddie Sutton, and former FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann have also been named to the Hall of Fame.

Kobe Bryant is an 18 time All Star and five time champion.

Time Duncan is a 15 time All Star the three time champion.

Kevin Garnett is a 15 time All star nd a nine time All Defensive team member.

Eddie Sutton is a four time Nation Coach of the Year.

Rudy Tomjanovich is a two time NBA championship coach.

Tamika Catchings is a 10 time WNBA All Star and four time Olympic gold medalist.

Baylor coach Kim Mulkey is a three time NCAA National Championship Coach of the Year.

Barbara Stevens is a five time Division II National Coach of the Year.

And Patrick Baumann has been an executive of the FIBA.

Speaking on the new class of Hall of Fame inductees, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame President and CEO John L. Doleva said, “The Class of 2020 is undoubtedly one of the most historic of all time and the talent and social influence of these nine honorees is beyond measure.” Doeva added, “in 2020, the basketball community has suffered the unimaginable loss of iconic figures Commissioner David Stern and Kobe Bryant, as well as the game itself due to COVID-19. We have also banded together like never before in appreciation of the game and those who have made it the uniting force it is today. Today we thank the Class of 2020 for all they have done for the game of basketball and we look forward to celebrating them at Enshrinement in August.”

The official induction ceremony is currently scheduled for August 29 in Springfield, Massachusetts. With the near future still a bit unsettled, The NBA Hall has made tentative plans for an alternate date in October in case it is needed.

feature photo credit: By chelsea ferenando chelferen – https://unsplash.com/photos/WJRZNL7rDF8ImageGallery, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62095687