This year, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard will make history as they are set to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame not once, but twice. Alongside them, basketball legends LeBron James and Chris Paul are also part of the prestigious group heading to the Hall, even before their playing careers come to a close. This momentous announcement was made on Saturday, revealing that both Anthony and Howard will be enshrined in the Class of 2025, which also includes the iconic 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team, famously known as the “Redeem Team.”
The Redeem Team, which included Anthony and Howard, achieved a remarkable feat by winning the gold medal at the Beijing Games. This victory not only restored the U.S. men's basketball team's reputation but also initiated an ongoing streak of five consecutive Olympic titles for USA Basketball. Other notable inductees include WNBA legends Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles, as well as Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison, and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford.
The enshrinement weekend is scheduled for September 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. During the televised announcement, Anthony shared his emotional reaction: “When the call comes and in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone. You know what time it is Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call and you hear, ‘You’re in.’ And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders.”
Coach Billy Donovan is celebrated for his back-to-back NCAA titles with Florida, while Micky Arison has played a pivotal role in the Miami Heat's championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013. Referee Danny Crawford has an impressive legacy, officiating for 32 seasons in the NBA, including 23 NBA Finals. The induction of the Redeem Team means that former players like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd, and Kobe Bryant will essentially be honored again, further solidifying their legacies in basketball history.
The Redeem Team was tasked with revitalizing the reputation of USA Basketball following a disappointing bronze medal finish at the 2004 Athens Games. The team dominated the 2008 Olympics with an impressive 8-0 record, winning games by an average margin of 27.9 points. USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley expressed his excitement about the team's selection, noting, “The Redeem Team’s celebrated run in Beijing marks a pivotal moment in U.S. men’s Olympic basketball history and has propelled us to five straight gold medals.”
The induction of Sue Bird and Maya Moore adds to the legacy of UConn’s women's basketball program, which already includes coach Geno Auriemma and fellow Hall of Famers Swin Cash and Rebecca Lobo. Auriemma remarked, “They’re hall of famers for me, they’re hall of famers for their family, they’re hall of famers for everybody — they’re even hall of famers for UConn haters.”
The Class of 2025 includes:
2008 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team: Co-captained by legends such as Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, this team not only captured gold but revitalized U.S. basketball on a global scale. Carmelo Anthony: A 10-time NBA All-Star and prolific scorer, Anthony ranks 10th all-time in NBA scoring with 28,289 points. Danny Crawford: An esteemed referee known for officiating over 2,000 regular-season games and 30 NBA Finals contests. Billy Donovan: Two-time NCAA champion coach, known for his extensive success at the University of Florida. Dwight Howard: An eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Howard is renowned for his dominant presence on the court. Sue Bird: A four-time WNBA champion and all-time leader in assists, Bird is celebrated for her exceptional career with the Seattle Storm. Sylvia Fowles: A two-time WNBA champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist, Fowles is known for her rebounding prowess. Maya Moore: A four-time WNBA champion who has also made significant contributions to social justice initiatives. Micky Arison: Owner of the Miami Heat, leading the team to three NBA championships and known for his philanthropic efforts.The announcement of the Class of 2025 underscores the incredible achievements of these athletes and contributors, ensuring their legacies will be celebrated for years to come.
