Class of 2020 to be Inducted Saturday, May 15 at Mohegan Sun
Springfield, Mass. — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today, multi-Grammy Award-winning artist NE-YO will perform at the Class of 2020 Enshrinement Ceremony held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, May 15. The ceremony will be hosted by Ahmad Rashad and the television broadcast schedule will be announced on Monday, May 10.
“As we return to live events, we’re excited to elevate the experience by providing our attendees, and fans tuning-in from home, a performance by world-class artist NE-YO,” said John Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “We sincerely appreciate the support of the basketball community in making this overdue celebration come to fruition and we look forward to honoring the historic Class of 2020.”
“It’s a privilege and honor to perform for such heroes in the game, including the late Kobe Bryant,” said Motown Records/Compound Entertainment recording artist NE-YO. “I’ve admired and respected these players for years; I’m looking forward to safely performing and celebrating this year’s class.”
The Class of 2020 inductees are longtime FIBA executive Patrick Baumann, 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant, 10-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings,15-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan, 15-time NBA All-Star and nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection Kevin Garnett, three-time NCAA National Championship Coach Kim Mulkey, five-time Division II National Coach of the Year Barbara Stevens, four-time collegiate National Coach of the Year Eddie Sutton, and two-time NBA Champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
As the health and safety of Hall of Famers, fans and staff is of the utmost importance, the Basketball Hall of Fame is working with the Mohegan Tribal Health Department to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and provide appropriate health and safety measures for all events. For more information, visit www.hoophall.com/Enshrinement.
About NE-YO
NE-YO, who just wrapped his fourth and final season as a judge on NBC’s “World of Dance,” has sold a cumulative 20+ million albums worldwide. Motown Records/Compound Entertainment recording artist has won three GRAMMY awards and been honored with a total of 14 nominations. His first single, 2005’s “So Sick,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified quadruple Platinum. Since then, he has racked up a collection of hit singles – including “Closer,” “Because of You,” “Miss Independent” and “Push Back” featuring Bebe Rexha and Stefflon Don. Three of his albums have entered SoundScan’s Top Current Albums chart at No. 1.
He has proven to be as powerful with his pen as he is in the recording studio and on stage. The Las Vegas native quickly became known as a go-to hitmaker, penning bangers like Rihanna’s “Unfaithful,” “Russian Roulette,” and “Take a Bow,” along with Beyoncé’s 2006 breakup anthem “Irreplaceable” and songs for such artists as Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, among others. In addition to “World of Dance,” NE-YO’s film and television credits include "Save the Last Dance," "Battle: Los Angeles," "Stomp the Yard," George Lucas' "Red Tails," "Empire," "The Wiz Live!" and “Step Up: High Water” now in his 3rd season debuting on Starz.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall and #20HoopClass or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.