Posted on: Monday, February 21, 2005

Coaches Boeheim, Calhoun, ex-NBA stars up for Hall

Associated Press

Springfield, Mass. — Big East coaching rivals Jim Boeheim and Jim Calhoun, and former NBA stars Joe Dumars and Dominique Wilkins are finalists for election into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Calhoun is back for a second try, and Hubie Brown was named a finalist for the first time, as a contributor to the game. The 16 finalists were announced yesterday, and this year's class will be presented April 4 at the NCAA Final Four in St. Louis.

Previous finalists Bernard King, Maurice Cheeks, Adrian Dantley, Dennis Johnson and Chet Walker are back on the ballot this year.

Wilkins and Dumars are finalists in their first year of consideration, as are women's coaches Van Chancellor and Sue Gunter.

Italian coach Sandro Gamba, Brazilian player Hortencia Marcari, player John Issacs, and contributor John Kerr from the Veterans Screening Committee round out the list.

Induction requires 18 of 24 votes from the Hall of Fame's Honors Committee.

Candidates remain eligible until going three consecutive years without receiving a vote from the screening committee. At that point, a nominee is removed from consideration for five years before he or she can be nominated again.