Krause, McGrady, Self, Lobo lead 11-person class
GLENDALE, ARIZ. — Former Chicago Bulls executive Jerry Krause, two-time NBA scoring champion Tracy McGrady, Kansas coach Bill Self, and former Connecticut star Rebecca Lobo are part of this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame class.
The Hall of Fame announced the 11-person class Saturday.
Krause, who died last month at 77, was the general manager during the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty in the 1990s. He was a two-time NBA Executive of the Year and responsible for surrounding star Michael Jordan with the pieces that helped create two championship three-peats.
“I know this would have meant the world to Jerry. It only further validates his legacy and what we all knew about his body of work with the Bulls,” Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement.
Before going to the Bulls, Krause worked for the Baltimore Bullets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, and was credited with being instrumental in the drafting of Hall of Famers Earl Monroe, Wes Unseld and Jerry Sloan.
McGrady — who went straight to the NBA from high school — was a seven-time All-Star who played 15 years in the league. He had his best years with the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets before injuries limited his effectiveness.
He led the league in scoring while playing for the Magic in both the 2002-03 and ’03-04 seasons. At 37, McGrady is the youngest in this year’s class.
“I did get emotional. I did start crying, I’ll tell you that,” McGrady said. “I was trying to call my wife once I got off the phone, but my eyes were so watery and I was so nervous I was opening up every app on my phone but the right one to make a call.”
Self is one of six coaches to lead three schools to the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight and led the Jayhawks to a national championship in 2008.
“The thing that I think hit me the soonest was the journey,” Self said about receiving the Hall of Fame call. “And certainly how many people have played a significant role in helping me and putting me in a position.
“And the more I thought about that, the list just grows and grows and grows. And certainly very humbled by it.”
Others in the class include Notre Dame women’s coach Muffet McGraw, Texas high school coach Robert Hughes, former NCAA executive Tom Jernstedt, Harlem Globetrotters player, owner and CEO Mannie Jackson, former Globetrotters player Zack Clayton, former European star Nikos Galis and former NBA and ABA star George McGinnis.