Report: Paul Pierce to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
The Truth is heading to The Hall.
According to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe, Paul Pierce will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021. The official announcement, which will include the full class, will be made Sunday morning.
Pierce, who played 15 of his 19 NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics, was first nominated back in December, then named a finalist in March. This was his first year of eligibility for induction.
One of the all-time great Celtics players, Pierce is the franchise’s second-leaded all-time scorer, trailing only John Havlicek. Drafted 10th overall by Boston in 1998, Pierce was the focal point of the organization for a decade and a half, including their 2008 title run that saw him win Finals MVP. Pierce becomes the 35th former Celtics player to be enshrined in Springfield.
League-wide, he’s the NBA’s 16th all-time leading scorer with over 26,000 points to his name. He was also a 10-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA player.
Pierce isn’t the only former Celtic among the finalists for the Class of 2021. Bill Russell – who was inducted as a player in 1975 – has a chance to be enshrined again, this time as a coach. Russell became the first Black head coach in NBA history when he replaced a retiring Red Auerbach in 1966. He would go on to win two rings as a player-coach in 1968 and 1969.
The Class of 2021 induction ceremony will take place this September.
PHOTOS: Paul Pierce through the years
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
