Basketball: three weeks after his death, Kobe Bryant is pre-selected to join the NBA pantheon

For any member of the mighty NBA, whether player, coach or manager, the Hall of Fame is the ultimate recognition. Each year, the North American league appoints former players in the game to join the pantheon of American basketball. Friday night, the NBA announced the eight preselected to enter. Among them, star Kobe Bryant, who died on January 26 in a helicopter crash.

Retired in 2016, the former Lakers player only became eligible this year, three years after his last player season. However, his sudden death did not speed up the NBA decision. Indeed, the "Black Mamba" was already part of the extended list announced last December. There is no doubt that the player, who has won five championships, will be inducted. Kobe Bryant will thus be part of the "Immortals", name given to the members of this pantheon.

One step closer to Springfield. #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/ojR8iHpcwD

He was selected with two other giants of their time, inside Kevin Garnett, voted best player in 2004, and Tim Duncan, five-time champion with the San Antonio Spurs. The 2020 promotion will be officially announced on April 4. The headquarters of the Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, where the medical professor (!) James Naismith invented basketball.