NEW HALL OF FAME ENTRANTS

EARVIN “MAGIC” JOHNSON

After an All-America scholastic career at Lansing Everett High, led Michigan State to 1979 NCAA championship against Indiana State’s Larry Bird, a rivalry that would continue throughout the 1980s with the Lakers and Boston Celtics. First overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft, Johnson was an immediate superstar, leading the Lakers to the 1980 NBA championship (the first of his five: 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) over the Philadelphia 76ers. In the NBA Finals, the rookie played all five positions--scored 42 points--and was named the NBA Finals MVP, the first of three selections (1980, 1982, 1987). A 12-time NBA All-Star in his 13-year career and MVP of the 1990 and 1992 games, Johnson was also named NBA MVP three times (1987, 1989 and 1990). Named to the All-NBA first team nine times and the second team once.

DRAZEN PETROVIC

Born in Sibenik, Croatia, was hailed as a superstar in his native land. In 1984-85, he scored 112 points in a Croatian League game. Member of the silver medal-winning Yugoslavian (1988) and Croatian (1992) Olympic teams. Petrovic died at 28 in 1993 car accident. Began NBA career with Portland Trail Blazers in 1989 before being traded to New Jersey Nets in 1991. In final season, averaged career-high and team-leading 22.3 ppg on 51.8% shooting, including 44.9% from three-point range.

LARRY BROWN

Has been college and professional coach for last 29 years. Has won over 1,000 games in the ABA and the NBA and is the only coach in NBA history to lead six different teams to the playoffs. He is 1,240-823 (.601) in his career and 834-655 (.552) as an NBA coach. Began coaching career in the ABA with the Carolina Cougars and Denver Nuggets, and compiled a 229-107 ABA record. Named ABA coach of the year three times (1973, 1975, 1976). In the NBA, he has coached the Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers. Became 11th NBA coach to win 700 games. In the 2001-2002 season, Brown led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals and was named coach of the year. Brown also led the UCLA Bruins to the NCAA championship game in 1980 and the University of Kansas Jayhawks to the 1988 NCAA championship. Was named the 1999 USA Basketball National coach of the year and served as an assistant coach for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He has recorded a winning record in 25 of 28 seasons on the professional and collegiate levels.

LUTE OLSON

Has been college head coach last 29 years. Has compiled a 767-255 record coaching at Long Beach City College, Long Beach State, University of Iowa and the University of Arizona. In 1997, Olson led Arizona to the NCAA championship and led the Wildcats to the Final Four in 1988, 1994, 1997 and 2001. Olson, who is the seventh winningest active Division I coach, is one of eight coaches to coach in five or more Final Fours and is one of 11 coaches who have taken two different teams to the Final Four (Arizona; Iowa, 1980). His 23 NCAA tournament appearances are third most among active coaches. Under Olson, Arizona’s 18 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances is the longest current streak in college basketball and is second longest in NCAA history. Arizona has been to the NCAA Sweet 16 nine times in the last 15 years. Olson was named national coach of the year in 1988 and 1990.

KAY YOW

Has 625 victories at Elon College and North Carolina State, fifth best in women’s basketball history. Yow, who led the Wolfpack to the 1998 Final Four, has led North Carolina State into the NCAA tournament 15 times in the last 19 years, a mark that includes nine Sweet 16 appearances. Only women’s coach in history to win a gold medal at the Olympics (1988, Seoul) and World Championships (1996).

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

The team played in the Negro American Legion League as the “Giles Post,” and in 1927 turned professional as the Savoy Big Five under manager Dick Hudson. Later that year, promoter Abe Saperstein (Hall of Fame, 1971) bought the team and re-named it the Harlem Globetrotters. Up until the late 1930s, the Globetrotters were a serious competitive team before they began to work light entertainment and comedic routines into their appearances. Played over 20,000 games in more than 100 countries.