Despite Coronavirus, Naismith 2020 Basketball HOF Ceremony to Take Place

A lot has changed in the world’s landscape during this global pandemic we found ourselves in, and a lot has changed — to a lesser degree of importance — in the landscape of sports. That landscape is currently a wasteland.

But one thing that will go on (at least somewhat) as planned is the ceremony announcing the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2020 class. Is it finally Eddie’s year?

According to a statement made Friday, the 2020 class will be introduced during a ceremony at the Hall’s location in Springfield, Mass. Saturday April 4 at 11 a.m. Central Time, and will be televised on ESPN. The ceremony was originally supposed to be held at the since-canceled Final Four in Atlanta.

“As previously announced, tickets for the 2020 Enshrinement festivities will be available for purchase at noon on April 4 via hoophall.com/enshrinement,” according to statement by the Hall.

“This plan is subject to change as we, like many others in the sports and entertainment industry, will be monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely in the coming weeks. As a reminder, our museum in Springfield (Mass.) remains closed until May 1. As always, the health and safety of our Hall of Famers, fans and staff is of the utmost importance. We look forward to coming together to celebrate the Class of 2020 when it is determined safe to do so.”

For Eddie Sutton — the only college coach with over 800 wins yet to be inducted — this is the seventh time in eight years that he has been named a finalist. And this year’s group is chock full of star power.

Kobe Bryant
Tamika Catchings
Tim Duncan
Kevin Garnett
Kim Mulkey
Eddie Sutton
Barbara Stevens
Rudy Tomjanovich

Five of names on that list will be etched in the shrine this go-round. Three will not.

As far as what happens on Saturday, I wouldn’t even venture to guess. But if the committee finally got this one right, it could offer a small reprieve for Eddie, his family and his fans from the fear/stress/weirdness that has become our world in 2020.