SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts (AP) — Nakatuon ang pansin sa Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame sa dalawang player na magkaiba ang porma, ngunit pareho ng katayuan sa pedestal ng basketball.

Kabilang sina dating Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal at one-time MVP Allen Iverson ng Philadelphia Sixers sa Class of 2016 na iluluklok sa Biyernes (Sabado sa Manila).

Makakasama nila sa 10-member class sina Chinese star Yao Ming, WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes, longtime Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, at NBA executive Jerry Reinsdorf, gayundin ang apat na ‘posthumous inductees’.

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Ayon kay Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo, miyembro ng 2004 Class, na hindi pahuhuli sa nakalipas na grupo ang inductee ngayong taon.

"I think it's an extraordinary class," pahayag ni Colangelo sa Associated Press.

"It's true that each year we think it's a great class. But some years some of them do stand out."

Itinuturing na dominanteng player si O'Neal, four-time NBA champion at ikapito sa all-time scoring list.

"I don't memorize a lot of stuff, but I have this one memorized," pahayag ni O'Neal.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I bought about 1,000 tickets to each event. All my family, everybody will be there. It's just great."