Parish, Worthy get into HOF

A group with heavy North Carolina connections: Meadowlark, Worthy and the Chief.

BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ELECTS SEVEN NEW MEMBERS

NEW ORLEANS, LA, April 7, 2003 - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that five players, one coach and one contributor have been elected for Enshrinement this September 4-7, 2003 in Springfield, Mass., the birthplace of basketball. The seven new electees represent the 45th group to enter the Hall of Fame since the institution began the process in 1959.

John L. Doleva, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Basketball Hall of Fame, announced that two of the top 50 players in NBA history — Boston Celtics center Robert Parish and Los Angeles Lakers forward James Worthy — along with legendary Italian superstar Dino Meneghin, famed Louisiana Tech women's coach Leon Barmore, African-American basketball pioneer Earl Lloyd, Los Angeles Lakers broadcasting icon Chick Hearn and Meadowlark Lemon, the "Clown Prince of Basketball," comprise the Class of 2003.

The Class of 2003 was selected from a record-group of 30 finalists. The Honors Committee elected Parish and Barmore on their first year of eligibility. Worthy has been a finalist the previous three years; Meneghin and Lloyd were finalists the last two years and Lemon was a first-time finalist, but has been reviewed by the North American Screening Committee the last three years. An individual needs five of seven votes from their Screening Committee to become a Hall of Fame finalist and 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election.

NORTH AMERICAN ELECTEES

FRANCIS "CHICK" HEARN, a native of Aurora, Illinois, established a standard of broadcasting that earned the legendary announcer a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1986. Known for creating play-by-play buzzwords such as "on him like a postage stamp", "the mustard's off the hot dog" and "can't throw a pea in the ocean", Hearn broadcast 3,338 consecutive games for the Los Angeles Lakers. Hearn's streak began on November 21, 1965 and extended to December 16, 2001. A member of the American Sportscasters Hall of Fame and a two-time national Sportscaster of the Year, Hearn earned the Basketball Hall of Fame's Curt Gowdy Media Award in 1992. Hearn died on August 5, 2002 in Northridge, CA. He was 85.


GEORGE "MEADOWLARK' LEMON, a native of Wilmington, North Carolina is perhaps the most well known and beloved member of the Harlem Globetrotters. Known as the "Clown Prince of Basketball," and for his near-perfect hook-shot from halfcourt, Lemon joined the Globetrotters in 1957 and played in over 16,000 games in a career that lasted until 1979. Lemon, who played in more than 70 countries with the Globetrotters and performed before two Popes, played with the Bucketeers (1980-83), Shooting Stars (1984-87) and the Meadowlark Lemon Harlem All-Stars (1988-98). He played 50 games for the Globetrotters in 1994. In 2000 he earned the Basketball Hall of Fame's John Bunn Award, the most prestigious award given by the Hall of Fame outside of actual Enshrinement.


ROBERT PARISH, 49, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, holds the NBA record for most seasons and games played, respectively, with 21 and 1,611. Following his All-America career at Centenary (LA.) College in which he led the nation in rebounding in the 1974-75 season (15.4 rpg), Parish was the first draft choice and eighth overall pick of the Golden State Warriors in 1976. Parish played four seasons with Golden State and then logged 14 seasons with the Boston Celtics (1980-1994) establishing himself as one of the NBA's premier centers. A nine-time NBA All-Star (1981-87, 1990-91), Parish teamed with Celtic Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Kevin McHale to form one of the finest frontcourts in NBA history. The trio won NBA titles in 1981, 1984, 1986. Named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary Team in 1996, Parish was an exceptional rebounder, holding the NBA record for defensive rebounds (10,117), playoff record for offensive rebounds (571) and his 14,715 rebounds are sixth best in history. Most impressively, Parish scored 23,334 points, currently 15th best in history. His 45,704 minutes rank him sixth best in history and his 2,361 blocked shots are eighth best and tops in Celtics franchise history. A regular in post season action, Parish appeared in the playoffs 16 seasons, second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 18 appearances. Parish finished his NBA career with the Charlotte Hornets (1994-96) and Chicago Bulls (1996-97).


JAMES WORTHY, 42, a native of Gastonia, North Carolina, was one of basketball's greatest fast-break finishers at the college and professional levels. A 6-foot-9, 225 pound power forward who could dominate with his speed and agility, Worthy starred collegiately at the University of North Carolina. He led the Tar Heels to the 1982 NCAA championship in New Orleans and was named MVP of the Final Four. Named Helms Foundation National Player of the Year, Worthy was selected an All-America 11 times throughout his college career by various organizations. Named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996, Worthy played his entire 12-year professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He helped lead the Lakers to the 1985, 1987 and 1988 NBA championships and a total of seven NBA Finals appearances. He was named MVP of the 1988 Finals after averaging 22 PPG, 7.4 rpg and 4.4 apg. He was chosen for seven NBA All-star Games (1986-92) and is one of only seven Lakers to have his number (#42) retired.

WOMEN'S ELECTEE

LEON BARMORE, 55, a native of Ruston, Louisiana, compiled a 576-87 record in 20 seasons as head coach at Louisiana Tech University, where he began his coaching career as an assistant in 1977. Upon his retirement following the 2001-2002 season, Barmore's .869 winning percentage was the best in women's basketball history. He was the fastest coach in women's basketball history to reach 500 wins. As an assistant coach at LA Tech from 1977-1982, Barmore was instrumental in the Techster's 54-game winning streak that has since been eclipsed by the University of Connecticut (88). In the 1988 season, Barmore led Tech to the NCAA championship with a 32-2 record. Under his direction, Tech reached five national championship games and nine Final Fours, second best in women's basketball history. Named the Naismith national Coach of the Year in 1988, Barmore led Tech to thirteen 30-win seasons (best in history) and nineteen 20-plus win seasons (seventh best in history). At Louisiana Tech, Barmore orchestrated one of the most dominant teams in women's basketball history. His teams spent 179 straight weeks ranked in the AP Top 25 (Nov. 24, 1992 to the present) and ranked in the AP Top 10 in 18 different seasons. His teams won 13 regular season conference titles in 15 years and compiled a 190-13 record in regular season conference games. His teams were 303-17 (94.7%) at the Thomas Assembly Center on campus. Barmore coached 12 Kodak All-Americas, four Olympians and 37 First-Team All-Conference selections.

 

more

INTERNATIONAL ELECTEE

DINO MENEGHIN, 53, a native of Alano di Piave, Italy, is widely regarded as one of the greatest International players ever and the finest Italian basketball player in history. From the age of 16 to 44, Meneghin played in Italy's top division where he dominated play while participating in a record 834 games. He appeared in four Olympic Games (1972, 1976, 1980 - silver medal, 1984). Meneghin led his Italian Club teams to a record 12 Cup of Champions Finals and a record seven championships. He led his teams to a pair of Cup of Cup championships and four Intercontinental Cup titles. He captured four championships - playoffs, Italy Cup, European and Intercontinental Cup - in the same year three times (1970, 1973, 1987). In 1991, Meneghin was named by Giganti del Basket as the greatest player in European history. He led Italy to a record six Italy Cups and his teams were runner-up 18 times in Cups and Playoff competition. With the Italian National Team, he led Italy to the 1983 European Championships and a record 12 national titles. He led Italy to fourth places finishes in the World Championships in 1970 and 1978. With the National Team, Meneghin set records for most games played with (271) and points scored (2,947). In 1970, Meneghin was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, making him one of the first foreign players ever drafted.

VETERANS ELECTEE

EARL LLOYD, 75, who in 1950 became the first African-American to play in a NBA game with the Washington Capitols, was instrumental in integrating professional basketball as a player and coach. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Lloyd led West Virginia State to two CIAA Conference and Tournament Championships in 1948 and 1949. He was named All-Conference three times (1948-50) and All-America twice as selected by the Pittsburgh Courier (1949-50). As a senior, he averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game while leading West Virginia State to a second place finish in the CIAA Conference and Tournament Championship. In 1947-48, West Virginia State was the only undefeated team in the United States. As a player, Lloyd enjoyed a solid NBA career with the Washington Capitols, Syracuse Nationals and Detroit Pistons. During Syracuse's championship season in 1955, Lloyd averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, becoming, alongside teammate Jim Tucker, the first African-American to win a NBA title. In 1968, Lloyd became the NBA's first African-American assistant coach, joining the staff of the Detroit Pistons. In 1971, he became the second African-American head coach and first African-American bench coach, again with Detroit. He coached future Hall of Famers Dave Bing and Bob Lanier. Later, as a scout, he discovered and recommended such talents as Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Ray Scott and Wally Jones. Lloyd was named the CIAA "Player of the Decade, 1947-56." He was also named to the All-Time CIAA All-Tournament Team, the CIAA Silver Anniversary Team and the NAIA Golden Anniversary Team. He was voted one of the CIAA's 50 Greatest Players and elected to the CIAA Hall of Fame (1998).

 

James Worthy went to Ashbrook. I watched him play in high school. He was one of the reasons why I became a misguided UNC fan as a child. I came to my senses later.

 

I saw him play several times in high schol while attending UNCC. Ashbrook played some high school (Independence perhaps) from Charlotte in the playoffs at the old Coliseum and sold it out. One one the best high school games I've ever attended.

Also saw a classic 1976 battle between Parish and Cedric Maxwell, then a junior. They both fouled out but both had double doubles for Centenary and the 49ers.