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Alonzo Mourning and Mitch Richmond are headed to the Hall of Fame, while Tim Hardaway and Spencer Haywood have been snubbed again.
First, Dave Carmichael of KHTK in Sacramento tweeted Wednesday that former Heat center Mourning and Kings wing Richmond will both be announced as the accepted Finalists for inducation this weekend during the Final Four in Dallas.
The news was verified by Dwyane Wade on Twitter:
BIG Congrts to my brother,mentor and friend #ZO on being a first ballet HOF...#2014 http://t.co/AsfSvfuJMV
— THREE (@DwyaneWade) April 3, 2014 Mourning played 15 seasons in the NBA, averaging 17 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, including 11 with Miami. He was a McDonalds All-American, a three-time All-American at Georgetown, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and finished in the top three of the MVP voting twice. He won a championship with the Heat in 2006.
Richmond played 14 seasons, averaging 21 points and 3.5 rebounds on 46 percent shooting. He was a six-time All-Star and the 1995 All-Star MVP. He won a title with the Lakers in 2002.
Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway told Yahoo Sports that despite his second finalist nomination, he wasn't elected. USA Today reported that Spencer Haywood, after being told he made it last year when he hadn't, and after yet another nomination, also didn't make the cut. This is just getting mean at this point.
Mourning and Hardaway along with the other electees will be announced this weekend and inducted next fall at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.