San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili has been announced as one of the headliners of first-time candidates for the James Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Ginobili, 44, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic players in Spurs franchise history and he is now closing in on the ultimate basketball accolade.
The Hall of Fame committee announced on Tuesday that Ginobili is one of the high-profile names that have been nominated for the first time. Tom Chambers and Lindsey Whalen of the WNBA are two other big-name first-timers.
Ginobili, who was drafted as a second-round pick in 1999, spent his entire career with the Spurs. A two-time All-Star, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard won four NBA championships in San Antonio while playing alongside the great Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Ginobili was named as the league's Sixth Man of the Year winner in 2008 and was a member of the All-NBA team four times. He retired in 2018.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is one of several former players that have previously been on the ballot and have been nominated again for the Class of 2022. Joining Billups are the likes of Muggsy Bogues, Marcus Camby, Michael Finley, Richard Hamilton, Tim Hardaway, Mark Jackson, and Shawn Marion, to name a few. Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon is also a repeat nominee.
The Finalists of the Class of 2022 will be announced on February 18th, 2022 during this season's All-Star Weekend. The actual enshrinement ceremony will be held on September 9-10, 2022 in Springfield, Ohio.
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