While there was no doubt that Los Angeles Lakers legendĀ Kobe BryantĀ was going to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, it was announced thatĀ he will get the honor without the formality of a voteĀ following his tragicĀ death in a helicopter crash.
According toĀ Shams CharaniaĀ ofĀ The Athletic, Hall of Fame chairmanĀ Jerry ColangeloĀ said thatĀ Bryant will lead the 2020 class, which could also includeĀ Tim DuncanĀ andĀ Kevin Garnett.
Kobe Bryant will be a first-ballot enshrinement into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2020.
"Expected to be arguably the most epic class ever with Kobe, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett," HOF chairman Jerry Colangelo says. "Kobe will be honored the way he should be."
During his illustrious career,Ā Kobe won five NBA championships, had 18 All-Star appearances, and 15 selections to an All-NBA team. He ranks fourth all-time in points and owns every Lakers' scoring record.Ā
The rest of this yearās Hall of Fame class will be announced in early April.
Kobe was killed in a helicopter crash along with his 13-year-old daughter Gigi and seven other people. TheĀ cause of the crash is under investigation.Ā
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