Former Toronto Raptors all-star guard Vince Carter, known for his high-flying dunks, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Glendale, Arizona, alongside 12 other members including longtime NBA executive Jerry West. Carter, who played for 22 seasons with various teams including the Raptors, Nets, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Hawks, Magic, Kings, and Suns, finished his career with 25,728 points, ranking 21st in league history.
Carter, now 47, was an eight-time all-star and the 1999 NBA rookie of the year. His longevity in the game was notable, as he was still a valuable player into his 40s, playing with athletes half his age. He played college basketball at North Carolina under coach Dean Smith before entering the NBA.
Another notable inductee was Chauncey Billups, a five-time all-star and NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Billups, now 47, was also the Finals MVP that year and is currently the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. He had a slow start in his pro career but found success with the Pistons, averaging 21 points and 5.2 assists per game in the 2004 Finals, where they defeated the Lakers in five games for the title.
Jerry West, a 14-time all-star, was inducted as a contributor at the age of 85. He previously entered the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and spent over 20 years as an executive for the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Golden State Warriors, winning a total of eight championships.
Overall, the 2021 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductees represent a mix of players, coaches, executives, and contributors who have made significant contributions to the sport of basketball. The 2024 class is set to be enshrined in Springfield, Massachusetts in August.