In this Jan. 15, 2005 photo, San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan works to get by Houston Rockets' Yao Ming during the fourth quarter of an NBA game in Houston. This year's Hall of Fame class includes a star-studded field of potential finalists, including Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming and Allen Iverson. That trio should be a lock to get in.

In this Jan. 15, 2005 photo, San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan works to get by Houston Rockets' Yao Ming during the fourth quarter of an NBA game in Houston. This year's Hall of Fame class includes a star-studded field of potential finalists, including Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming and Allen Iverson. That trio should be a lock to get in.

Shaq, Yao, Iverson look to take next step to HOF

  • By BRIAN MAHONEY
  • Friday, February 12, 2016 1:02am
  • Sports

TORONTO — Shaquille O’Neal should be a lock. Yao Ming and Allen Iverson could join him.

Two larger-than-life big men and one of basketball’s most exciting little guys highlight the list of players, coaches and contributors who are eligible for induction this year into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

O’Neal and Iverson must get past an extra step by first being chosen as finalists Friday at a press conference during the NBA’s All-Star weekend festivities. If they do, they would then require 18 votes from the 24-member Honors Committee, as do all nominees from the North American and Women’s Committees.

But Yao was nominated by the Hall’s International Committee, recognized as much for his impact in the growth of basketball in his native China as his play in the NBA. That committee elects players directly to the Hall.

The class of 2016 will be unveiled April 4 in Houston on the day of the NCAA championship game, and the enshrinement ceremony is set for Sept. 9 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

O’Neal, Yao and Iverson earned a chance to be a part of it after a recent rule change that made players eligible for nomination after four full seasons of retirement. Previously, they had to wait five years, which meant they were actually six years removed from their playing days by the time they could take their place in the birthplace of basketball.

O’Neal won four NBA championships, an MVP award and is in the league’s top 10 in career scoring. Iverson, just 6-feet tall, won four scoring titles and was the league’s MVP in 2001, when his 48-performance for Philadelphia in Game 1 of the NBA Finals handed O’Neal’s Lakers their only loss of the most dominant postseason in NBA history.

Yao doesn’t have as impressive a resume, his career cut short by multiple foot injuries. But the 7-foot-6 center lasted long enough to make an enormous impact on and off the court after being selected No. 1 overall in 2002.

A look at some others who could be Springfield-bound in September:

JERRY KRAUSE: On the 20th anniversary of the Chicago Bulls compiling the best record in NBA history, perhaps it’s time to honor the executive who was one of the architects of the six-time champions?

TOM IZZO: The way he consistently gets his Michigan State teams to peak in March, don’t be surprised if he’s got a game to coach in Houston when the class he should be in appears during Final Four weekend.

SHERYL SWOOPES: The first player signed by the WNBA went on to win three MVP awards and four championships in the league, but it was her 47-point performance in leading Texas Tech to the 1993 NCAA championship that many think of first when talking about one of the greats of women’s basketball.

MARV ALBERT: Already a Hall of Famer as a broadcaster, Albert, like Krause, is now nominated by the Contributor Committee that directly elects to the Hall. Should he be honored again? As Albert might exclaim while calling a game, “YES!!”

DARELL GARRETSON: He officiated more than 2,000 games in the NBA and spent 17 years as the league’s chief of officiating. There aren’t many easy calls for referees, but this seems an easy call about one.

FILE - In this Dec. 25, 2001, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson, center, throws a wrap-around pass between Los Angeles Lakers' Mark Madsen, left, and Robert Horry in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles. This year's Hall of Fame class includes a star-studded field of potential finalists, including Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming and Allen Iverson. That trio should be a lock to get in. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

FILE – In this Dec. 25, 2001, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers’ Allen Iverson, center, throws a wrap-around pass between Los Angeles Lakers’ Mark Madsen, left, and Robert Horry in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles. This year’s Hall of Fame class includes a star-studded field of potential finalists, including Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming and Allen Iverson. That trio should be a lock to get in. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

More in Sports

Juneau’s Auke Bay Post 25 shortstop Kasen Ludeman attempts to tag Anchorage’s South Post 4 runner Mark Warren at third base during Alaska American Legion baseball action Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Alaska Legion baseball team opens season

Auke Bay Post 25 fights through four-game series.

Kai Ciambor, a 2025 graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, in action against West Anchorage during the ASAA Division I Soccer State Championships at Colony High School on May 30. Ciambor was selected the Gatorade Alaska Boys Soccer Player of the Year on Thursday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Kai Ciambor named Gatorade Alaska Boys Soccer Player of the Year

Crimson Bears 2025 graduate earns top honor in high school sports.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé track and field coach Jesse Stringer, 2025 JDHS graduate Nick Iverson, JDHS sophomore to be Bella Connally, and JDHS assistant track and field coaches Jennifer Strumfeld and Tina Martin pose for a photo on Wednesday at the JDHS auxiliary gym after Iverson and Connally had school records noted. (Photo courtesy Chris Connally)
Crimson Bears Iverson, Connally place names on record wall

JDHS track and field stars new school records registered on high.

Grace Dumas approaches the finish of the East Glacier Trail Tangle on Tuesday. The 4.9-mile race follows part of Under Thunder Trail around East Glacier Trail and back. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Morely, Tanel top East Glacier Trail Tangle

Sprints, climbs, descents and bears overcome.

Stinky Rats’ Jason Norat is congratulated by teammates as he finishes the Seacoast Relay at the Eagle Beach State Park outer beach picnic shelter on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Stinky Rats find burritos at Seacoast Relay

13 teams share in the spoils of winners’ bounty.

Male wood ducks have colorful plumage and do not share parental duties. (Photo courtesy of Kerry Howard)
On the Trails: Wood ducks

Wood ducks nest seasonally in forested areas across North America from coast… Continue reading

The Sitka Wolves baseball team celebrate their 7-0 win over the Service Cougars in the championship game Saturday of the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska DI Baseball State Tournament at Anchorage’s Mulchay Stadium. (Photo courtesy Heather Gluth)
Sitka Wolves are state baseball champions

Bryce Calhoun pitches one-hit title clincher.

Most Read