Hall of Fame moves enshrinement ceremony to Aug. 13, avoids conflict with world championships

Hall of Fame moves enshrinement to Aug. 13

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is moving its enshrinement ceremony to Aug. 13, avoiding a conflict with the world championships.

The Hall expects to welcome its second straight decorated class, with the 1992 U.S. men’s Olympic “Dream Team,” plus Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen, nominated for induction. Both played on that famed team along with Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

The enshrinement ceremonies usually take place in early to mid-September. The world championships will be held from Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey.

Jerry Colangelo, chairman of the Hall board and USA Basketball, says the change in date is for the “foreseeable future.”

“After weighing many options, we believe the second weekend of August is a better fit for everyone involved in the enshrinement ceremonies,” Colangelo said in a statement.

The enshrinement ceremony will again take place at Springfield’s Symphony Hall, where it was moved to last year for the first time to accommodate the large crowd for Jordan’s induction.

The finalists for the class of 2010 will be announced on Feb. 12 in Dallas as part of the NBA’s All-Star weekend.

The Hall plans a number of events and new exhibits around the enshrinement ceremonies, including a potential tribute to the Dream Team if it is inducted.

“These new plans allow the Basketball Hall of Fame to make our premier event more accessible to fans as we establish a weeklong celebration designed to reach all of the Hall’s constituencies,” said John Doleva, president and CEO of the Hall.