Springfield, MA

Dennis Rodman, regarded for his rebounding abilities and known for his outlandish outfits and colorful hair, and Chris Mullin, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time NBA All-Star, led the 2011 class inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Apart from Rodman and Mullin, the 2011 class also featured Artis Gilmore, Arvydas Sabonis, Teresa Edwards, Tara VanDerveer, Tom "Satch" Sanders, Tex Winter, Herb Magee and Reece "Goose" Tatum.

Rodman, who managed a quick costume change into a black suit with "Pistons" and "Bulls" featured among its designs, choked up several times during an emotional speech.

Given his infamously flamboyant personality, Rodman's speech was the most anticipated as it capped off this year's enshrinement. He was joined on stage by Phil Jackson, whom he helped win three NBA titles while with the Bulls.

It started out on a congratulatory note before it become more confessional as he talked about his personal shortcomings, revealing the true Rodman underneath all the tattoos and outrageous outfits that he became as famous for as anything he did on the court.

Mullin, already a Hall of Famer as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team" that was inducted last year, opened Friday night's enshrinement as the other headliner.

Mullin, who won the first of his two Olympic gold medals as a collegian in 1984, played 16 NBA seasons for Golden State and Indiana.

Also honored was eight-time NBA champion Sanders, who is credited in the development of the NBA's Rookie Transition Program and having started the player programs for the NBA.

Former ABA and NBA star center Gilmore and Sabonis, regarded as one of the top big men in European history, were also feted.

A pair of women's committee selections, Edwards and VanDerveer, were also honored in this year's enshrinement.

Edwards was the first American basketball player to participate in five Olympic Games - - winning four Olympic gold medals and bronze. During his collegiate years, Edwards was a two-time All-America selection while leading Georgia to two Final Four appearances.

VanDerveer, on the other hand, steered Stanford to two national championships and won more than 800 games. On the international level, VanDerveer guided the U.S. women in winning the Olympic gold in 1996.

Winter, the architect of the triangle offense, was also recognized, which many considered overdue enshrinement. His triangle-post offense was a key component in the success for both the Bulls and Lakers.

Winter was an assistant to Jackson on nine NBA championship teams.

Also given places in the Hall were Division II Philadelphia University coach Magee and "Goose" Tatum of the Harlem Globetrotters (posthumous).

Magee is the career leader at the collegiate level with more than 900 wins with Philadelphia University, where he has coached since 1966.

Magee, who will be entering his 45th year as head coach and 52nd year as both a player and a coach with his alma mater, has steered the Rams to 25 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances with one title.

Tatum was the original clown prince of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Tatum, who has been a basketball ambassador around the world for more than 25 years, is credited to have invented the hook shoot, also known as skyhook. It was a shot for which Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would became famous.

 

 

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