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Tracy McGrady, Bill Self, Rebecca Lobo to be inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

By Dustin Gunter

Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; NBA former player Tracy McGrady speaks are WNBA former player Rebecca Lobo listens during the Naismith Hall of Game Press Conference at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; NBA former player Tracy McGrady speaks are WNBA former player Rebecca Lobo listens during the Naismith Hall of Game Press Conference at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trace McGrady, Bill Self and Rebecca Lobo will be inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame later this year.

The 2017 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class was announced Saturday morning.

The class features three big names. Despite coming close in votes, Chris Webber barely missed the list. While it is expected that Webber will make it next year, here are this year’s notable inductees:

Tracy McGrady, NBA, SG

McGrady was perhaps the face of the NBA in the early 2000s. The 6-foot-8 guard played 15 years in the NBA, and led the league in scoring from 2002 to 2004.

McGrady expressed the emotions he felt after the news broke with ESPN’s College Gameday crew:

"“I got the call and I couldn’t believe it. When he told me, I had him repeat it over again, and I wanted him to say it slowly. And you know, tears of joy just ran over me,” said McGrady."

The seven-time All-Star was drafted straight out of high school in the 1997 draft by the Toronto Raptors. McGrady went on to play for seven teams in his career. However, the years where he primed are considered to be the ones he spent with the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets. In his long career, McGrady averaged 19.6 points per game with a 44 percent field goal percentage.

Bill Self, University of Kansas, Head Coach

It’s no surprise that Self is getting inducted before he decides to retire the clipboard. The decorated Jayhawk has led his team to 13 consecutive Big 12 championship titles, and accounted for a NCAA title in 2008. Boasting a 623-193 overall record (416-88 at KU),  it doesn’t appear as if his career is coming to a halt anytime soon. He’s a professional personality that players seem to gravitate to. Given his outstanding track record, up and coming stars are willing to put their future at his disposal.

The 54-year-old ball coach has produced 21 NBA Draft picks in his tenure at KU, 10 of which were lottery picks. He’s bound to add a few more to that list when June rolls around, as Josh Jackson and Frank Mason III are on several teams’ draft boards.

Next: Was Jusuf Nurkic always this good?

Rebecca Lobo, UConn, WNBA, F

Lobo has had a decorated career to say the least.

In 1995, she helped lead UConn’s women to a their first ever national championship. This practically laid the foundation for the dynasty UConn is today. Since then, the Huskies have added 10 more to the record books.

Lobo also claimed a gold medal for Team USA at the 1996 Olympics, and was a WNBA All-Star three years later.