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SWISH! Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates history of game, big hit with hoop fans
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will induct a new class on Aug. 12. The 2023 class includes Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Gasol, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich and Becky Hammon.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — While talking with an executive from The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, he heard I am from Chicago and joked, “Yeah, we have a few Chicagoans represented here.”
Yeah, some guy named Michael Jordan, for sure. Not to mention Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and others with ties to the Windy City who call this home, enshrined among the greats of the game.
The Basketball Hall of Fame is the sport’s most complete library, a long-standing tribute to everything and everyone hoops related. Dedicated to physician Dr. James Naismith, who invented the sport in Springfield, the Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1959, though the first facility didn’t open until early-1968.
There are now close to 500 individuals inducted.
The basketball Hall honors international and American pros, as well as American and international amateurs, making it the most comprehensive Hall of Fame among major American sports.
Honorees include the icons — Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and many others, as well as coaches, referees, sportswriters, commentators and others.
It is a must-see, though this Chicagoan thought there’d be more memorabilia to honor MJ. Instead, the abundance of artifacts understandably honored the late, great Kobe Bryant, with card maker Panini plastered through the Kobe section.
Out front are half basketballs with flat tops for seats, honoring coaches of the game. Inside, a hallway leading to the entrance leads, fittingly, right into a Michael Jordan display.
Before entering ($25 admission fee), there are 20-foot-tall tributes to Jordan, Gary Payton, John Stockton and Sheryl Swoopes, among others. There also is information on the Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award — and this year’s winner is the John McLendon Foundation, which provides minorities access and opportunity through its scholarship program and leadership initiative.
Another favorite is checking out the shoe size of select stars, such as Bob Cousy, Jordan and Rebecca Lobo (all size 13), Lisa Leslie (14) and Shaquille O’Neal (22).
The tour starts on the third-floor, and that’s where stand-ups show the exact height of Muggsy Bogues (5-3) and others.
There are plenty of popular handprints to see how big some of the stars’ hands truly are. You can measure your hands against Stephen Curry and WNBA star A’Ja Wilson, among others.
There are several display cases with athlete memorabilia, like shoes worn by Leslie and Tracy McGrady, a Hakeem Olajuwon jersey, and Dirk Nowitzki shootaround shirt. The ball Olajuwon blocked for the 2,000th blocked shot of his career in 1992 is also exhibited.
Connie Hawkins’ Phoenix Suns jersey was spotlighted, along with Dominique Wilkins (jersey), Julius Erving (jersey, shoe, jacket) and Brittney Griner (jersey and shoe).
There is a display case featuring a flamboyant hat, boa and Ed Hardy sunglasses. Not surprisingly, these items were worn by Dennis Rodman in 2011.
Want more of The Worm? Sure, there was the Defensive Player of the Year Award Rodman won in 1989-90.
Legendary coach Lou Carnesecca’s renowned sweater was on display, as was a ball autographed by the 1982 University of North Carolina team, including a youngster at the time named … Michael Jordan.
A few more relics from the third-floor: Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics’ jersey and Tamika Catchings’ University of Tennessee jersey.
There are interactive televisions throughout, each othering multiple memorable moments from the game.
Heading to the second-floor is like heading back in time, with a detailed history of the game. Yep, there’s everything here about Dr. J — the original Dr. J, James Naismith — including a signed “ball.” (It’s round, but nothing like the orange gems used today.)
I was intrigued by the detailed info on the First Lady of Basketball, Senda Berenson Abbott. For the record, she was the author of the first Basketball Guide for Women and the first person to introduce and adapt rules for women’s basketball to Smith College in 1899, modifying the existing men’s rules.
Of course, this area also showed and detailed the old-school baskets.
There were plenty of retro jerseys to ogle over, and more:
• A Boston Celtics jersey worn by Ernie Reich.
• Celtics sneakers worn by Peter Barry.
• A signed basketball from the 1936 Olympic Trials at Madison Square Garden.
• A Vintage warm-up jacket worn by Willard Schmidt.
• A Peoria Caterpillars jersey worn by Frank McCabe.
• A basketball signed by the 1956 U.S. Olympic Team, including Bill Russell and K.C. Jones.
• A key to New York City presented to Ned Irish by mayor John Lindsay.
• An Adolph Rupp player jersey from the University of Kansas.
• A John Lucas-worn jersey.
• A Sheboygan Redskins jersey worn by Paul Cloyd.
• A Chicago Stags jersey worn by Max Zaslofsky in the 1946-47 BAA season.
• Flooring from Hinckley Community School, site of the first Harlem Globetrotters game in 1927.
CELEBRATING THE GAME
The Hall of Fame fills 40,000 square feet, attracting about 200,000 visitors annually to learn about the game and help promote, preserve and simply celebrate everything basketball. Visitors can experience interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams” on the first floor. Much like an Embassy Suites Hotel, the court is seen from the second and third floors.
The Hall of Fame also operates more than 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad.
But it’s the memorabilia that truly stands out. What else is there:
• A deflated basketball honoring John Thompson.
• Nolan Richardson cowboy boots.
• A ball presented to Clarence Gaines for his 800th victory.
• A video on Jews in Basketball, featuring Sue Bird, Red Holzman, Arnie Risen and Red Auerbach, among others.
• A jersey worn by Patrick Ewing.
• A Magic Johnson jersey, signed for Shaq.
• A Penny Marshall pencil box, depicting basketball players from when she was 8 years old.
• The Coaches Area spotlights Lenny Wilkins, John Calipari and others.
• Of course, this former Hoosier had to watch a video of Steve Alford.
• The Kobe Bryant Area is the largest dedicated to one person, with a 10-by-5-foot card, jerseys, shoes, rings and more.
• The Teleprompter Challenge gives fans the chance to be a commentator on “Inside The NBA.”
• Bob Huggins items from his run at West Virginia.
• Referee jerseys.
• You must get your photo taken with a replica Larry O’Brien Trophy.
• Coach Kim Mulkey bobblehead — wearing high heels.
The main floor is the court, where I choose a Globetrotters-style red, white and blue ball and immediately make my way to the old-school basket.
Swish!
After making my first shot, I had to stop. I had to stay perfect‚ just like the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
1000 Hall of Fame Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
1-877-4HOOPLA
Hoophall.com
