Retired NBA stars Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade and Pau Gasol and legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich were among those inducted Saturday into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The Class of 2023 paid tribute to global talent with French guard Parker, German forward Nowitzki, Spanish center Gasol and US guard Wade joined by 74-year-old Popovich, coach of the Spurs since 1996.
“It’s a powerhouse class, really,” Gasol said. “I’m humbled and very lucky to be a part of this class with all these amazing people.”
The Class of 2023 paid tribute to global talent with French guard Parker, German forward Nowitzki, Spanish center Gasol and US guard Wade joined by 74-year-old Popovich, coach of the Spurs since 1996.
“I’m just enjoying the moment. “I never thought somebody like me can experience something like that. For all the kids who are watching, keep dreaming big. Popovich, the longest-tenured of all North American pro sports coaches, has guided the Spurs to five titles and was named the NBA Coach of the Year three times. He also coached the US gold medal team of NBA stars at the Tokyo Olympics.
Parker was a four-time NBA champion with San Antonio, a six-time NBA All-Star and the 2007 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Other inductees included six-time WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon, the 1976 US Women’s Olympic team and former coaches Gene Keady, Gary Blair, David Hixon, Gene Bess and Jim Valvano.
“I feel like I made it somewhere,” Wade said. “It was an unbelievable journey,” Parker said.
