LA Clippers

Oh Me, Oh My!! Ralph Lawler inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Published Feb. 15, 2019 6:31 p.m. ET

The farewell tour for Ralph Lawler has the biggest and best stop coming in September.

Lawler, the longtime Los Angeles Clippers play-by-play announcer, will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, it was announced on Friday by the NBA.

Lawler will receive the The Curt Gowdy Media Award, given 'members of the electronic and print media for outstanding contributions to basketball.'

"I can hardly believe this is happening. Never in my wildest dreams did I dare to imagine that my career would culminate with this ultimate honor," said Lawler in a statement. "My wife and I are thrilled and humbled to be joining the elite group that preceded me with the Curt Gowdy Award. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a reality."

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Enshrinement festivities will take place in Springfield, Mass. on Sept. 5-7.

Lawler is retiring following this season after 40 years with the Clippers, more than 3,140 broadcasts

"As we celebrate Ralph's final season calling Clippers games, it is only fitting that we also get to celebrate him as a recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award," said Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer. "He has always been a Hall of Famer in my book, and this honor is beyond well-deserved. Clipper Nation calls him the 'Voice of the Clippers,' but Ralph is so much more than that; he is our heart and soul. Congratulations Ralph!"

"It is a very well-earned honor for Ralph to receive this award; he has always been a Hall of Famer to Clippers fans,'" said Clippers head coach Doc Rivers. "Ralph has been a pioneer in his field, and we have been fortunate to hear him for 40 years. His love for the game and this team are on display every night. Congratulations Ralph on this very well-deserved award."

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Over the course of his 40 seasons, Lawler has also been awarded with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, three Emmys, a Telly Award and inductions into the Southern California Sports Broadcasters (SCSB) Hall of Fame (2006) and the California Sports Hall of Fame, and this season has been honored with the Television Play-by-Play Award by the SCSB and the California Sportscaster of the Year honor by the National Sports Media Association. A native of Peoria, Illinois, Lawler has distinguished himself as one of the broadcasting industry's elite, as he is one of a very few announcers who has called games in each of the four major U.S. Sports Leagues: NFL (Chargers), MLB (Phillies), NHL (Flyers) and NBA (Clippers and 76ers).