Shaq, Iverson and Yao highlight Basketball Hall of Fame inductees
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame unveiled its 2016 inductees on Monday. This year's class is highlighted by NBA stars Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson and Yao Ming.
The star-studded class will be joined by Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, WNBA pioneer Cheryl Swoopes and longtime referee Darell Garretson.
The posthumous inductees include Zelmo Beaty, Darell Garretson, John McLendon and Cumberland Posey.
This year's class boasts some of the biggest names in NBA history, as Iverson and O'Neal were cultural icons during their prime, and Ming has been largely credited for the NBA's rise in popularity in China.
Iverson is perhaps best known as one of the most prolific scorers in the game. Drafted by Philadelphia with the first overall pick in 1996, Iverson's accolades include nine-time All-Star, four-time scoring champ, former Rookie of the Year and league MVP. Throughout his 14-year career, Iverson never failed to entertain, and his controversial, yet engaging personality made him a fan-favorite.
Arguably the game's best-known big man, O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion, a former league MVP and is in the league's top 10 in career scoring.
Ming was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and made eight All-Star teams, but his career was shortened by injuries.
Hired as the Spartans' head coach in 1995, Izzo led his team to seven Final Four appearances, including a national title in 2000. He has compiled 524 career victories in his 21 years at Michigan State.
Swoopes was the first player signed by the WNBA, and went on to win four league championships and three MVP awards.
Reinsdorf, the Bulls' owner and chairman since 1985, oversaw the team's rise to dominance in the '90s, which included six NBA championships.
