December 22, 2021 - Among the international Basketball Hall of Fame nominees is the best Croatian playmaker in history - Josip 'Pino' Gjergja.
The Basketball Hall of Fame has announced a list of candidates for the highest honor in the sport next year. Numerous famous names are on the list, and the legendary Argentine Manu Ginobili was nominated for the first time, reports Index.hr.
In addition to the four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs and Olympic winner with Argentina in 2004, Chauncey Billups, Tom Chambers, Marcus Camby, Michael Cooper, Michael Finley, Richard Hamilton, Tim Hardaway, Mark Jackson, Shawn Marion, Buck Williams, but also the record holder in the number of blocks in one season Mark Eaton and the smallest player in NBA history, 160 cm tall Muggsy Bogues, all have a chance to enter the Hall of Fame.
The list also includes famous coaches like George Karl and Dick Motte, but also the legendary referee, the controversial Joey Crawford, who was known for his theatricality in showing decisions, and once excluded Tim Duncan just because he laughed at one of his decisions on the bench.
Every year, one new Hall of Fame resident comes from international basketball, and among the nominees is the best Croatian playmaker in history, Josip "Pino" Gjergia, but also other playing and coaching legends of Yugoslavia basketball such as Mirza Delibašić, Dušan Ivković, Radivoje Korać, and Ranko Žeravica.
Gjergio was nominated by KK Voštarnica in 2018, but he is not among the favorites to be included this year either, especially because two Croatians have entered in the last four years - Dino Rađa in 2018 and Toni Kukoč in 2021. Vlade Divac was also among other Yugoslavia basketball representatives.
The final, abbreviated list of nominees will be announced during the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland in February, and the final list of new Hall of Fame residents will be unveiled at the NCAA League Final Four in early April. The listing ceremony will take place on September 9 and 10 next year.
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