The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame typically inducts its new class every August, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's ceremony will be pushed back to next year.
The Hall of Fame's board of governors chairman, Jerry Colangelo, confirmed the news to ESPN's Jackie MacMullan.
Here's more from MacMullan:
Colangelo said the original dates of enshrinement weekend, Aug. 28-30, and the proposed alternate dates of Oct. 10-12, are "just not feasible" in light of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 100,000 in the U.S. and has rendered large gatherings taboo. The board of governors will convene on June 10, he said, to explore spring dates.
Colangelo also noted the 2020 and 2021 Hall of Fame classes will have their own induction ceremonies.
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"We won't be combining them," Colangelo told MacMullan. "The Class of 2020 is a very special class and deserves its own celebration."
Boston Celtics
He's definitely right about the 2020 class. It's a particularly special one, mostly because of the NBA legends who were voted to be inducted.
The class is headlined by Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and the late Kobe Bryant. It's arguably the greatest Hall of Fame class in history, one that includes three of the top 15 to 20 players of all-time who combined to win 11 NBA championships and four league MVP awards.
While it's disappointing that fans will have to wait until next year to see the 2020 class enter the Hall of Fame, delaying the ceremony absolutely is the right decision to ensure the safety of everyone involved.