The Rock is a Hall of Famer!
Kings legend Mitch Richmond was officially named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday.
The announcement confirms Carmichael Dave's initial report last Wednesday that "The Rock" had made it in.
Richmond played seven seasons in Sacramento and was the first King to have their jersey hoisted into the rafters in Sleep Train Arena (then Arco Arena). He joins Alonzo Mourning, Bob Leonard, Nat Clifton, Nolan Richardson, Guy Rodgers, Gary Williams and one Mr. David Stern in this year's Hall of Fame class.
Here are some quick numbers that make the case for Richmond:
- Six-time NBA All-Star.
- 1989 Rookie of the Year.
- MVP of the 1995 All-Star Game.
- Olympic gold medalist in 1996 with Team USA. Bronze medalist in 1988.
- 2002 NBA champion (yes, with the Lakers).
- Career averages of 21 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
- One of only 39 players on the NBA's all-time scoring list to amass more than 20,000 points.
- Ranks 29th in league history with 1,326 three-pointers made, 34th in scoring average and 37th in points scored.
The guy was solid on both ends of the floor, hence the nickname, and he gave the franchise from Sacramento a player that demanded attention across the league in the 90s, including Michael Jordan who has referred to Richmond as one of the toughest players he ever went up against.
Here he is dropping 37 points in Game 2 of the 1996 playoffs series against the Seattle SuperSonics.
Richmond currently serves as the director of pro personnel for the Kings. He also was one of the investors in the local group who stepped up to pledge $1 million in Mayor Kevin Johnson's efforts last year to keep the Kings in Sacramento. Johnson also was a finalist for the Hall of Fame this year. (In my opinion, he should be in too.)
Richmond will be inducted during a ceremony on Aug. 8 in Springfield, Mass. Check out The Rock's post about the announcement here.