The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame today announced the basketball class of 2021 will be inducted into the Hall on Saturday September 11th in Springfield.

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This year’s class includes Celtics’ stars Paul Pierce and Bill Russell.  Pierce enters the hallowed Hall in his first year of eligibility.  He wore the green for 15-years and is a 10-time all-star, has a Finals MVP award and the NBA’s biggest achievement…an NBA Championship in 2008.

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Bill Russell who is already in the Hall of Fame as a player, will be inducted this year as a coach.  Russell was the NBA’s first black head coach.  He traded the green short-shorts for a suit and tie and a seat on the bench as the Celtics head coach when he took over for Red Auerbach in 1966.  The Celtics under Russell won back-to-back championships in 1968 and 1969.  Russell also went on to coach the Super Sonics and Kings.

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Other players being to be inducted this September includes; Chris Webber, Chris Bosh, Ben Wallace, Olympic gold medalist Yolanda Griffith and WNBA stand out Lauren Jackson.

The Enshrinement Ceremony for the Hall of Fame Class of 2021 will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on Saturday September 11th.  A number of a events are planned leading up to the main event.  The Enshrinement Tip Off Celebration and Awards Gala at Mohegan Sun on Friday September 10th.  An Enshrinement Ceremony Red Carpet Show at MassMutual Center on Saturday the 11th and an Enshrinement Ceremony VIP Reception at the Basketball Hall of Fame also on Saturday the 11th.

Tickets for all of the events are available through the Hall of Fame website at www.hoophall.com.

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