The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame revealed yesterday the 10 individuals who have been named as the Class of 2011. Interperformances is pleased to announce that the inductees include two former Interperformances clients: the European star Arvydas Sabonis and the ABA/NBA legend Artis Gilmore.
Sabonis (on the left) has been elected by the International Committee. He led the Soviet Union to the gold medal in the 1988 Olympics, and led Lithuania to the bronze in the 1992 Olympics. While playing in the Soviet Union and Spain, he was named the European Player of the Year four times. Arvydas was drafted by the Blazers in 1986 with the 24th overall pick, but didn't come to Portland until 1995, when he was 31 years old.
“The Big A”, Artis Gilmore (on the right), was elected by the Hall's ABA Committee. He was a six-time NBA All-Star who scored more than 24,000 career points and is a member of the all-time ABA team.
Arvydas and Artis will be inducted during enshrinement ceremonies on August 11-13 in Springfield, Massachusetts.