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Players Eligible for Class of 2016 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announced

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Shaquille O'Neal

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The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its eligible candidates for the 2016 class on Monday morning. Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming, Sheryl Swoopes and Tom Izzo are the biggest names of this year’s first-time eligible candidates.

Iverson played 14 seasons in the NBA with four different teams. He led the Philadelphia 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals where the team would lose four games to one. Iverson was also named the NBA MVP for that season after averaging 31.1 points, 4.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game. He was also an 11-time NBA All-Star, three-time All-NBA First Team selection and won the scoring title four different times.

O’Neal won four NBA titles throughout his 19-year career and three NBA Finals MVP awards. He was a 15-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA First-Team selection and won the NBA MVP in 2000. For his career, O’Neal averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game en route to becoming one of the most dominant big men of all time.

Although Ming’s career was cut short by injury, the 7-foot-6 center was a driving force in expanding the interest in the sport of basketball throughout China. He made the NBA All-Star team eight times during nine-year stint with the Houston Rockets and finished his career averaging 19 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

Swoopes is frequently referred to as the “female Michael Jordan” as her dominance throughout the sport of women’s basketball is unparalleled. She won four WNBA titles, three Olympic Gold Medals, three WNBA MVP awards and was a six-time WNBA All-Star in her 13-year WNBA career.

Izzo is in his 21st season as head coach of the Michigan State Spartans. He’s led the school to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, 13 Sweet Sixteens, nine Elite Eights, seven Final Fours and one National Championship over that time period. Izzo is considered one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time and currently has his team ranked No. 1 in the polls.

Finalists will be announced during NBA All-Star Weekend which begins February 12 in Toronto, Canada. The 2016 class will then be announced on April 4 at the Men’s NCAA Final Four in Houston, TX.

Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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