The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced its finalists for next year Thursday afternoon.
Several first-time candidates have made the cut for the Class of 2024, which will be announced during the Final Four in April.
Vince Carter, a 22-year Raptors veteran, is one. The 46-year-old joined the league in 1998 and played until 43. He played 22 seasons in the NBA, surpassing Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and LeBron James.
Bill Laimbeer, WNBA coach and former Detroit Pistons center, was nominated for the first time. His 15 seasons in the league included 1989 and 1990 crowns with Detroit. After almost 30 years coaching college, Rick Barnes is nominated for the first time.
The former Texas coach began his ninth season at Tennessee. Former players Chauncey Billups, Shawn Marion, and coaches Jim Larrañaga, John Beilein, and Bo Ryan are all nominated again.
Longtime WNBA standout Seimone Augustus received her first nomination. Augustus won four WNBA titles with the Minnesota Lynx and was named an All-Star eight times in 15 seasons.
This year's Hall of Fame class can include the 2008 U.S. men's Olympic squad. That squad, headed by Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, James, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Dwight Howard, and others, won the 2008 Beijing Games gold medal. After Team USA lost a three-Olympic gold medal streak to win bronze in 2004, they became known as the “Redeem Team”.
The Hall of Fame will announce the 2024 Class on April 6 at the men's Final Four. Next August is the enshrinement ceremony.