Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - wikipedia Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame `` Basketball Hall of Fame '' redirects here. For other uses, see Basketball Hall of Fame ( disambiguation ). Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Established 1959 Location Springfield, Massachusetts Type Professional sports hall of fame President John Doleva Website Official website The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as the sport 's most complete library, in addition to promoting and preserving the history of basketball. Dedicated to Canadian physician and inventor of the sport James Naismith, it was opened and inducted its first class in 1959. As of the induction of the Class of 2016 on September 9, 2016, the Hall has formally inducted 354 individuals. Contents 1 History of the Springfield building 2 Criteria for induction 2.1 Controversy 3 Inductees 4 Other Hall awards 5 See also 6 References 7 External links History of the Springfield building The Naismith Hall of Fame was established in 1959 by Lee Williams, a former athletic director at Colby College. In the 1960s, the Basketball Hall of Fame struggled to raise enough money for the construction of its first facility. However, during the following half - decade the necessary amount was raised, and the building opened on Feb. 17, 1968, less than one month after the National Basketball Association played its 18th All - Star Game. The Basketball Hall of Fame 's Board named four inductees in its first year. In addition to honoring those who contributed to basketball, the Hall of Fame sought to make contributions of its own. In 1979, the Hall of Fame sponsored the Tip - Off Classic, a pre-season college basketball exhibition. This Tip - Off Classic has been the start to the college basketball season ever since, and although it does not always take place in Springfield, Massachusetts, generally it returns every few years. In the 17 years that the original Basketball Hall of Fame operated at Springfield College, it drew more than 630,000 visitors. The popularity of the Basketball Hall of Fame necessitated that a new facility be constructed, and in 1985, an $11 million facility was built beside the scenic Connecticut River in Springfield. As the new hall opened, it also recognized women for the first time, with inductees such as Senda Berenson Abbott, who first introduced basketball to women at Smith College. During the years following its construction, the Basketball Hall of Fame 's second facility drew far more visitors than ever anticipated, due in large part to the increasing popularity of the game but also to the scenic location beside the river and the second Hall 's interesting modern architecture. In 2002, the Basketball Hall of Fame moved again -- albeit merely 100 yards south along Springfield 's riverfront -- into a $47 million facility designed by renowned architects Gwathmey Siegel & Associates. The building 's architecture features a metallic silver, basketball - shaped sphere flanked by two similarly symmetrical rhombuses. The dome is illuminated at night and features 80,000 square foot ( 7,400 m2 ), including numerous restaurants and an extensive gift shop. The second Basketball Hall of Fame was not torn down but rather converted into an LA Fitness health clubs. The current Basketball Hall of Fame features Center Court, a full - sized basketball court on which visitors can play. Inside the building there are a game gallery, many interactive exhibits, several theaters, and an honor ring of inductees. A large theater for ceremonies seats up to 300. The honorees inducted in 2002 included the Harlem Globetrotters and Magic Johnson, a five - time NBA champion, three - time NBA finals MVP and Olympic gold medalist. As of 2011, the current Basketball Hall of Fame has greatly exceeded attendance expectations, with basketball fans traveling to the Hall of Fame from all over the world. Despite the new facility 's success, a logistical problem remains for the Basketball Hall of Fame and the City of Springfield. The two entities ( along with the riverfront area entirely ) are separated by the Interstate 91 elevated highway -- one of the eastern United States ' busiest highways -- which, essentially, inhibits foot - traffic and other interaction between the Basketball Hall of Fame and Springfield 's increasingly lively Metro Center. Both the Hall and Springfield have made public statements about cooperating further so as to facilitate even more business and recreational growth for both ; however the placement and height of Interstate 91 remain physical obstacles. Urban planners at universities such as UMass Amherst have called for the I - 91 to be moved, or to be re-configured so as to be pedestrian - friendly to Hall of Fame visitors. In 2010, the Urban Land Institute announced a plan to make the walk between Springfield 's Metro Center and the Hall of Fame ( and riverfront ) easier. A basketball sculpture soars into the sky above the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Criteria for induction In contrast to the Pro Football and the National Baseball Halls of Fame, Springfield honors international and American professionals, as well as American and international amateurs, making it arguably the most comprehensive Hall of Fame among major sports. Since 2011, the induction process employs a total of seven committees to both screen and elect candidates. Four of these committees screen prospective candidates : North American Screening Committee ( 9 members ) Women 's Screening Committee ( 7 members ) International Screening Committee ( 7 members ) Veterans Screening Committee ( 7 members ), with `` Veterans '' defined as individuals whose careers ended at least 35 years before they are considered for election. Since 2011, the Veterans and International Committees also vote to directly induct one candidate for each induction class. Three committees formed in 2011 directly elect one candidate for each induction class : American Basketball Association Committee - This committee was permanently ceased in 2015 as over the previous five years the ABA Committee had fulfilled its promise. Contributor Direct Election Committee Note that other committees may choose to elect contributors. For example, the 2014 class included two contributors. Early African - American Pioneers of the Game Committee Individuals who receive at least seven votes from the North American Screening Committee or five votes from one of the other screening committees in a given year are eligible to advance to an Honors Committee, composed of 12 members who vote on each candidate and rotating groups of 12 specialists ( one group for female candidates, one group for international candidates, and one group for American and veterans candidates ). However, each screening committee is limited as to the number of candidates it can put forth to the Honors Committee -- 10 from the North American Committee, and two from each other committee. Any individual receiving at least 18 affirmative votes ( 75 % of all votes cast ) from the Honors Committee is approved for induction into the Hall of Fame. As long as the number of candidates receiving sufficient votes from a screening committee is not greater than the number of finalists that committee can put forth, advancement to the Honors Committee is generally pro forma, although the Hall 's Board of Trustees may remove any candidate who `` has damaged the integrity of the game of basketball '' from consideration. To be considered for induction by a screening committee, a player must be fully retired from play for at least four years ( changed from five years in December 2015 ), while a coach or referee must be fully retired for at least four years or have been active full - time in his / her respective craft on the professional, collegiate or high school level for at least 25 years. No years of service criterion is applied to those who have made a `` significant contribution to the game of basketball ''. Sportswriters and commentators are elected as full - fledged members ( in contrast to the Baseball Hall of Fame that places them in separate wings that are not considered in the `` real '' Hall of Fame ). Controversy Controversy has arisen over many aspects of the Hall 's voting procedures, including voter anonymity. While sportswriter voters of other major sports ' Halls of Fame openly debate their choices, the Naismith Hall does not make the process transparent. The Hall has also been criticized in opinion columns for a tendency to enshrine active collegiate coaches and relatively obscure players while omitting some accomplished players and coaches. Inductees Main article : List of members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame The entrance to the former site of the Basketball Hall of Fame near Metro Center Springfield. Since 1959, 345 coaches, players, referees, contributors, and teams have been inducted, with the most recent class entering on September 9, 2016. John Wooden, Lenny Wilkens, Bill Sharman, and Tom Heinsohn have each been inducted as both player and coach ( Wooden in 1960 and 1973, Sharman in 1976 and 2004, Wilkens in 1989 and 1998, and Heinsohn in 1986 and 2015 ). On three occasions, the Hall has inducted new classes without honoring a player -- 1965, 1968, and 2007. Other Hall awards In conjunction with the Final Four of each year 's men 's and women 's Division I NCAA basketball tournaments the Naismith Hall gives out several awards to college basketball athletes : For men, the Hall presents the Bob Cousy Award to the top point guard from among players in Divisions I, II, and III. This award, given since 2004, is voted on by Cousy and a selection of basketball writers, college basketball coaches, sports information directors and fans. The Hall also presents the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award to two college seniors -- one male player no taller than 72 inches ( 1.83 m ), and one female player no taller than 68 inches ( 1.73 m ) -- determined to have been the nation 's best student - athletes. The men 's award, given since 1969, is voted on by the National Association of Basketball Coaches ( NABC ), and the women 's, given since 1984, by members of the Women 's Basketball Coaches Association. See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame building. List of members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame List of players in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame List of coaches in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Women 's Basketball Hall of Fame FIBA Hall of Fame References Jump up ^ Caroline Thompson ( 2015 - 10 - 14 ). `` The History of Basketball in the 1930s ''. Livestrong.Com. Retrieved 2016 - 03 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2014. Jump up ^ Linn, Charles ( January 2003 ), `` Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame '', Architectural Record, archived from the original on 2008 - 07 - 05 Jump up ^ `` Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces 12 Finalists for 2011 Election '' ( Press release ). Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. February 18, 2011. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Guidelines For Nomination and Election Into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 4, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces 12 Finalists for 2013 Election '' ( Press release ). Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. February 15, 2013. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Hall of Fame Announces Modifications to its Enshrinement Process ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. December 14, 2015. Archived from the original on 25 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Guidelines For Nomination and Election ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 4 September 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2015. Jump up ^ Aschburner, Steve. `` Hall of Fame selection process leaves much to be desired ''. NBA News. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2013. Jump up ^ Ziller, Tom ( 30 March 2010 ). `` Fans to Vote for Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees ''. AOL News. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2013. Jump up ^ Hall of Famers, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 2009 Jump up ^ `` Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2013 '' ( Press release ). Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. April 8, 2013. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013. Jump up ^ espn.go.com, Mutombo, Johnson, Calipari Among HOF Nominees, accessed February 14, 2015. Jump up ^ hoophall.com, Year By Year Enshrinees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, accessed February 16, 2008. Archived February 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. External links Where is the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ? Official website Coordinates : 42 ° 05 ′ 37 '' N 72 ° 35 ′ 06 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 42.093684 ° N 72.585069 ° W ﻿ / 42.093684 ; - 72.585069 Members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Players Guards Archibald Beckman Belov Bing Blazejowski Borgmann Brennan Cervi Cooper - Dyke Cousy Dampier Davies Drexler Dumars Edwards Frazier Friedman Galis Gervin Goodrich Greer Guerin Hanson Haynes Holman Hyatt Isaacs Iverson Jeannette D. Johnson E. Johnson K. Jones S. Jones Jordan Lieberman Maravich Marcari Marčiulionis Martin McDermott McGrady McGuire Meyers R. Miller Monroe Murphy Page Payton Petrović Phillip Posey Richmond Robertson Rodgers Roosma Russell Schommer Sedran Sharman Staley Steinmetz Stockton Swoopes Thomas Thompson Vandivier Wanzer West J. White Wilkens Woodard Wooden Forwards Arizin Barkley Barry Baylor Bird Bradley R. Brown Cunningham Curry Dalipagić Dantley DeBusschere Dehnert Endacott English Erving Foster Fulks Gale Gates Gola Hagan Havlicek Hawkins Hayes Haywood Heinsohn Howell G. Johnson King Lucas Luisetti K. Malone McClain B. McCracken J. McCracken McHale Mikkelsen C. Miller Mullin Pettit Pippen Pollard Ramsey Rodman Schayes E. Schmidt O. Schmidt Stokes Thompson Twyman Walker N. White Wilkes Wilkins Worthy Yardley Centers Abdul - Jabbar Barlow Beaty Bellamy Chamberlain Ćosić Cowens Crawford Daniels DeBernardi Donovan Ewing Gallatin Gilmore Gruenig Harris - Stewart Houbregs Issel W. Johnson Johnston Krause Kurland Lanier Leslie Lovellette Lapchick Macauley M. Malone McAdoo Meneghin Mikan Mourning Murphy Mutombo Olajuwon O'Neal Parish Pereira Reed Risen Robinson Russell Sabonis Sampson Semjonova Thurmond Unseld Wachter Walton Yao Coaches Alexeeva Allen Anderson Auerbach Auriemma Barmore Barry Blood Boeheim Brown Calhoun Calipari Cann Carlson Carnesecca Carnevale Carril Case Chancellor Chaney Conradt Crum Daly Dean Díaz - Miguel Diddle Drake Ferrándiz Gaines Gamba Gardner Gaze Gill Gomelsky Gunter Hannum Harshman Haskins Hatchell Heinsohn Hickey Hobson Holzman Hurley Iba Izzo Jackson Julian Keaney Keogan Knight Krzyzewski Kundla Lambert Leonard Lewis Litwack Loeffler Lonborg Magee McCutchan A. McGuire F. McGuire McLendon Meanwell Meyer Miller Moore Nelson Nikolić Novosel Olson Pitino Ramsay Richardson Riley Rubini Rupp Rush Sachs Sharman Shelton Sloan Smith Stringer Summitt Tarkanian Taylor Teague Thompson VanDerveer Wade Watts Wilkens G. Williams R. Williams Wooden Woolpert Wootten Yow Contributors Abbott Barksdale Bee Biasone H. Brown W. Brown Bunn Buss Clifton Colangelo Cooper Davidson Douglas Duer Embry Fagan Fisher Fleisher Gavitt Gottlieb Granik Gulick Harrison Hearn Henderson Hepp Hickox Hinkle Irish Jones Kennedy Knight Lemon Liston Lloyd McLendon Mokray Morgan Morgenweck Naismith Newell Newton J. O'Brien L. O'Brien Olsen Podoloff Porter Raveling Reid Reinsdorf Ripley Sanders Saperstein Schabinger St. John Stagg Stanković Steitz Stern Taylor Tower Trester Vitale Wells Wilke Winter Zollner Referees Bavetta Enright Garretson Hepbron Hoyt Kennedy Leith Mihalik Nichols Nucatola Quigley Rudolph Shirley Strom Tobey Walsh Teams 1960 United States Olympic Team 1992 United States Olympic Team All - American Red Heads Buffalo Germans The First Team Harlem Globetrotters Immaculata College New York Renaissance Original Celtics Texas Western National Basketball Association Eastern Conference Atlantic Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets New York Knicks Philadelphia 76ers Toronto Raptors Central Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Detroit Pistons Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks Southeast Atlanta Hawks Charlotte Hornets Miami Heat Orlando Magic Washington Wizards Western Conference Northwest Denver Nuggets Minnesota Timberwolves Oklahoma City Thunder Portland Trail Blazers Utah Jazz Pacific Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Phoenix Suns Sacramento Kings Southwest Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets Memphis Grizzlies New Orleans Pelicans San Antonio Spurs Annual events Draft Summer League Christmas Day All - Star Weekend Game MVP Playoffs List Finals Champions MVP Others NBA Silver Anniversary Team NBA 35th Anniversary Team 50 Greatest Players ABA Merger Arenas Awards BAA Cheerleading Collective bargaining agreement Criticisms and controversies 2007 Tim Donaghy betting scandal G League Dress code Draft eligibility Global Games Africa 2015, Africa 2017 First overall draft picks Hall of Fame Members Head coaches Current Player - coaches Champions Foreign coaches Lockouts Larry O'Brien Trophy Mascots Midwest Division NBA champions NBA Store Media TV NBA TV NBL NBPA Owners Players Current rosters Foreign players Race and ethnicity Retired numbers Banned or suspended Highest paid Records regular season post-season All - Star Game Win - loss records Rivalries Salary cap Seasons Teams Defunct Expansion Relocated Timeline WNBA Basketball in the United States Portal 2017 -- 18 season City of Springfield Topics Annual events Arts and Culture Demographics Economy Education Colleges and universities Geography Historic Places History Media People Politics Public Library Public Schools Skyscrapers Transportation Peter Pan Bus Lines Springfield Union Station Attractions Connecticut River Walk Park The Eastern States Exposition ( Big E ) Forest Park The Zoo In Forest Park Stone Dog II MassMutual Center Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Science Six Flags New England Smith Art Museum Springfield Armory Symphony Hall Springfield Symphony Orchestra The Titanic Museum Government City council City Hall Fire Mayor Police C3 policing Symbols Flag Seal Emblem Neighborhoods Bay Boston Road East Forest Park East Springfield Indian Orchard McKnight Mason Square Metro Center Apremont Triangle Historic District Court Square Mattoon St. Historic District North End Brightwood Liberty Heights Memorial Square Old Hill Six Corners Sixteen Acres South End Upper Hill Sports Basketball Hall of Fame Valley Blue Sox Springfield Thunderbirds Hampden County Greater Springfield Pioneer Valley Massachusetts United States Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame&oldid=795026066 '' Categories : Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Basketball museums and halls of fame Halls of fame in Massachusetts History of basketball American national museums in Massachusetts Sports museums in Massachusetts Sports in Springfield, Massachusetts Museums in Springfield, Massachusetts Awards established in 1959 Hidden categories : Articles with inconsistent citation formats Webarchive template wayback links All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from June 2017 Commons category with local link different than on Wikidata Coordinates on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Bosanski Català Čeština Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français Galego 한국어 Հայերեն Hrvatski Italiano עברית Latviešu Lietuvių Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Slovenčina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska தமிழ் Türkçe Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 11 August 2017, at 14 : 51. 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Question: where is the nba hall of fame located
Answer: Springfield, Massachusetts