World Sport News

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced the finalists of the 2018 class. The 13 finalists include Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Steve Nash and Jason Kidd.

The final class of 2018 will then be announced on 31. March 2018 at a press conference before the start of the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio. To be accepted, a finalist requires 18 of the committee’s 24 votes.

This year’s list includes six first-time nominees, including Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, three-time Olympic gold medallist Katie Smith and four-time WNBA winner Tina Thompson.

It was already stated in December that two changes were made to the process. Potential candidates are now available three years after their career ends to enter the Hall of Fame. Previously there were four full seasons. There has also been a change for coaches, which will take effect from 2020. Nominees must then have coached for at least 25 years and be at least 60 years old.