NBA: Michael Jordan to present Kobe Bryant into Hall of Fame next month

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Basketball legend Michael Jordan will present the late Kobe Bryant into NBA Hall of Fame next month, with the former LA Lakers star set to be honoured in the class of 2020

  • Kobe Bryant is to be inducted into the NBA’s Hall of Fame in the Class of 2020
  • Covid-19 delayed the late LA Lakers star being inducted 12 months ago 
  • Bryant will be inducted by Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan next month 

By Nathan Salt For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Michael Jordan has been selected to induct the late Kobe Bryant into the National Basketball Association’s Hall of Fame next month. 

Los Angeles Lakers icon Bryant, who died in January 2020 in a helicopter accident alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gigi, will be recognised in the delayed Class of 2020. 

Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett will join Bryant in being inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame. 

The ceremony will take place on May 15. 

Michael Jordan will present Kobe Bryant into the NBA Hall of Fame

Bryant had a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers

Michael Jordan (left) will present the late Kobe Bryant (right) into the 2020 NBA Hall of Fame

The two men were fierce competitors but Bryant (right) saw Jordan (left) as a big brother

The two men were fierce competitors but Bryant (right) saw Jordan (left) as a big brother

Bryant (right, with wife Vanessa) died in a helicopter accident last year in California alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other individuals

Bryant (right, with wife Vanessa) died in a helicopter accident last year in California alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other individuals

HALL OF FAME ENTRANTS + PRESENTERS 

Patrick Baumann, presented by Russ Granik (’13), Vlade Divac (’19)

Kobe Bryant, presented by Michael Jordan (’09)

Tamika Catchings, presented by Alonzo Mourning (’14), Dawn Staley (’13)

Tim Duncan, presented by David Robinson (’09)

Kevin Garnett, presented by Isiah Thomas (’00)

Kim Mulkey, presented by Michael Jordan (’09)

Barbara Stevens, presented by Geno Auriemma (’06), Muffet McGraw (’17)

Eddie Sutton, presented by John Calipari (’15), Bill Self (’17), Sidney Moncrief (’19)

Rudy Tomjanovich, presented by Calvin Murphy (’93), Hakeem Olajuwon (’08)

Bryant famously listed Jordan, current owner of NBA franchise Charlotte Hornets, and his former coach Phil Jackson as two people he wanted to present him at his Hall of Fame induction.

The NBA have ensured one of his wishes is honoured as he is inducted posthumously.   

Jordan, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, choked back tears at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during an event honouring Bryant’s life last year. 

‘When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died,’ Jordan said during the ceremony. 

‘Maybe it surprised people … but we were very close friends. Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I. I just wanted to talk about Kobe.’

It was well documented during Bryant’s 20-year NBA career, all of it spent in the purple and gold of the LA Lakers, that he sought advice from Jordan, widely considered as the greatest NBA player of all time.  

‘At first, it was an aggravation,’ Jordan said in the ceremony, remembering a young Bryant seeking his thoughts. 

‘But then it turned into a certain passion. 

‘This kid had passion like you would never know… as I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.’  

More to follow.  

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