Hall of Fame chairman says Kobe Bryant ‘will be honored the way he should be’

January 27, 2020

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Kobe Bryant is eligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame this year after being retired for four full seasons, and there was already no question he was going to be enshrined in Springfield on his first ballot. Now, it sounds as though the voting process will not even be necessary.

Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo told Shams Charania of The Athletic on Monday that Kobe will be a first-ballot enshrinement into the Hall of Fame in August. Bryant’s class will be arguably the greatest ever.

Kobe Bryant will be a first-ballot enshrinement into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2020.

"Expected to be arguably the most epic class ever with Kobe, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett," HOF chairman Jerry Colangelo says. "Kobe will be honored the way he should be."

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 27, 2020

It goes without saying that it is devastating for the NBA that Bryant won’t be alive to receive the honor and give a speech. He’s one of the most influential figures in basketball history, which is why the helicopter crash on Sunday that killed him, his daughter and seven other people was felt around the world.

The 2020 Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony will take place on Aug. 29, and it will be one of many emotional days for the sports world going forward. We’ve already seen NBA teams make some incredible gestures to honor Kobe’s legacy, and there are bound to be countless more. This year’s Hall of Fame enshrinement will be a bittersweet day for all of those involved.

More Larry Brown Sports coverage of Kobe Bryant’s death:

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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims

Tributes to Kobe:
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences