Former Suns Kevin Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal on the Ballot for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

By administrator1 February 13, 2016 21:50

By Francisco Romero

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced 14 finalists for the class of 2016.

There are two former Phoenix Suns amongst the finalists; Kevin Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal make up two of the fourteen finalists.

“To be nominated as a Finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “Each finalist in the Class of 2016 has had a distinct impact on the game we all love.”

Kevin Johnson is an iconic player with the Phoenix Suns; after a stellar career as a basketball player, Johnson has gone on to a successful second career in politics as the Mayor of the City of Sacramento, California.

After playing for University of California Berkley from 1983-1987, Johnson played12 years in the NBA and holds the NBA Finals single-game record for most minutes played with 62. Johnson is the first player in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 10 assists, a .500 field goal percentage and two steals per game for an entire season. In 1989, he earned the NBA Most Improved Player award. The three-time NBA All-Star (1990, 1991, 1994) is also an All-NBA Second Team member (1989, 1990, 1991, 1994).

Shaquille O’Neal played with the Phoenix Suns during the 2008-2009 season; he played for six NBA teams including the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics.

Shaquille O’Neal Picture Courtesy nba.com

O’Neal was a four-time NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006), he played 19 years in the NBA averaging 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. A 15-time NBA All-Star (1993-98, 2000-07, 2009), O’Neal led the league in field goal percentage for 10 seasons (1994, 1998-2002, 2004-06, 2009) and ranks seventh on the NBA All-Time scoring list. He was named NBA MVP (2000), NBA Finals MVP three times (2000-02) and NBA Rookie of the Year (1993). At Louisiana State University (1989-92), O’Neal led the country in rebounding (1991) and blocked shots (1992) while earning unanimous First-Team All America honors (1991-92). O’Neal is an Olympic gold medalist (1996) and a member of the NBA 50^th Anniversary All-Time Team.

The Class of 2016 will be announced on Monday, April 4 at a press conference in Houston prior to the NCAA Men’s Championship game.