This is the day many families have been waiting for. These are the basketball legends who conquered countless challenges to shape basketball culture and society. Though they are no longer with us to see this day, they are now being recognized with love and respect. Late Jerry West and two other basketball greats will be posthumously inducted into the 2024 Hall of Fame.

Mr. West, an exception, is being inducted not only for his on-court achievements but for his many other roles in the league. The Lakers legend led his team to the NBA Finals nine times. Throughout his career, he wore many hats. As a player, he amazed us, and as an executive, he led various teams to new heights. In 1982, he completed a full circle moment by becoming the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers.

He left the Lakers in 2002, but before that, he played the key role in bringing Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant together, a duo that would later lead the Lakers to back-to-back championships. His brilliance was seen again in 2015 when, as part of the Golden State Warriors, he helped the franchise secure its first NBA title in 40 years.

He is known as “The Logo,” and rightfully so, even if the NBA is yet to make it official. Jerry West is a legend who has truly made history. The Logo man passed away at the age of 86 on June 12, 2024. This year, he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as an executive. And he is not alone to receive the honor.

Walter Davis made history!

Another basketball gem to be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is Walter Davis, Michael Jordan’s favorite player. Davis is the man who paved the way for the Phoenix Suns. He made history with the franchise, playing for 11 years and becoming the second player to appear in 766 games.

The UNC alum scored 15,666 points during his time with the Suns. As Jordan followed Davis during his high school career, it’s clear that ‘Sweet D’ had a significant influence on him, perhaps more than we realize.

He was also the Rookie of the Year, averaging 25 points per game. When Jordan was asked about who was the toughest player to go one-on-one against, his answer was Davis. Michael Cooper also had nothing but praise for this basketball legend. “I played against some of the best players in the world, but one player that always scared me was Walter Davis. I remember being kept up at night thinking about ‘how am I gonna stop the Greyhound?’” Cooper said.

“To play against? Has to be Walter Davis. I played against Walter Davis in the summertime, and he’s been an outstanding basketball player,” Cooper said about the legend.

He passed away at the age of 69 and David Thompson, Bob McAdoo, and Jerry Colangelo will be his presenters. Another basketball legend to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is the late Harley Redin. 

Harley Redin will be honored by the Naismith Hall of Famer

Redin was the head coach of Wayland Baptist University, where he led both the men’s and women’s teams. Hailing from Texas, he was honored for elevating women’s basketball to new heights through his coaching expertise for the international women’s team. He led the 1959 Pan American Games to a gold and then the 1971 team to a silver in the same competition. 

In all, guiding the women’s team from 1955 to 1973, the late legend achieved an impressive record of 429 wins and 63 losses for Wayland Baptist University. He won the Amateur Athletic Union tournament six times and was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. In 1999, Redin was also inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Now, Alice “Cookie” Barron and Cherri Rapp will serve as his presenters.

While the basketball legends are no longer with us, their presence will be felt through the people who are still influenced by their greatness and hold their memories in high regard.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.