Bryant, Garnett and Duncan top Hall of Fame list
The nominees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2020 class could build a team that’s almost impossible to beat, starting with Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.
The list of 50 eligible candidates was announced Thursday, with other first-time nominees including Tamika Catchings, Swin Cash, Chris Bosh, Shawn Marion, Michael Finley, Mark Eaton and Buck Williams.
Former men’s players previously nominated and back on the ballot include Chris Webber, Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton, Tim Hardaway, Marcus Camby, Mark Jackson and Chauncey Billups.
The finalists will be announced on Feb. 14 in Chicago, during the NBA’S all-star weekend. The Class of 2020 will be unveiled at the Final Four in Atlanta in early April.
Potential No. 1 pick James Wiseman has left Memphis to prepare for the 2020 NBA draft.
The seven-foot-one freshman centre announced his decision Thursday on Instagram.
“Today I formally withdrew from the University of Memphis and I will be preparing for the next chapter of my life,” he wrote. “Ever since I was a little kid, it’s been a dream of mine to play in the NBA.”
Wiseman, the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2019, averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in three games with the Tigers. Since mid-november, he’s been serving a 12-game NCAA suspension after an investigation revealed he and his family received impermissible benefits.
The NCAA determined that Memphis coach Penny Hardaway — before he was hired by the university — provided US$11,500 to help Wiseman and his family move from Nashville, Tenn., to Memphis in 2017. Wiseman would have been eligible to return to the Memphis lineup on Jan. 12.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have ruled out star wide receiver Chris Godwin for Saturday’s game against the Houston Texans, coach Bruce Arians announced on Thursday.
Godwin sustained a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 38-17 victory over the Detroit Lions.
Other Bucs who won’t play include tight end Tanner Hudson (concussion) and defensive tackle Beau Allen (ankle).
“It’s just next man up. That’s what you always do. One man’s injury is another man’s opportunity, and somebody will shine,” Arians said via ESPN. Godwin, 23, has 86 catches for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns this season, his third in the NFL.
Columbus Blue Jackets rookie defenceman Andrew Peeke sustained a broken finger in Tuesday’s 5-3 road victory over the Detroit Red Wings and is expected to miss four to six weeks, the club announced Thursday.
In seven games this season, he has an assist and a plus-minus rating of plus-3. He collected 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 21 games for the AHL’S Cleveland Monsters this season.
Major League Soccer unveiled the 2020 regular-season schedule on Thursday. Expansion clubs Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC join the action for the league’s 25th season, which kicks off on Feb. 29.
Each club will play 34 games (17 home and 17 away), facing conference opponents twice, plus 10 games against non-conference opponents.
Highlights of the schedule include Nashville SC’S inaugural match against visiting Atlanta United on Feb. 29.
Opening weekend also features the reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders hosting the Chicago Fire.
Inter Miami CF will make their debut against Los Angeles FC.
Both matches are scheduled for March 1.