DETROIT — Air Jordan has a new name: Hall of Famer.
Michael Jordan was elected to the class of 2009 on Monday, set for induction in September with his Dream Team teammates David Robinson and John Stockton. Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Rutgers women’s coach C. Vivian Stringer are also part of the class.
Induction is Sept. 10-12 in Springfield, Mass., home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I don’t like being up here for the Hall of Fame because at that time your basketball career is completely over,” Jordan said. “I was hoping this day would be 20 more years, or actually go in when I’m dead and gone.”
Jordan’s Hall of Fame selection was a slam dunk after he retired as perhaps the greatest player in history. And he gave much of the credit Monday to his college coach.
“There’s no way you guys would have got a chance to see Michael Jordan play without Dean Smith,” he said.
Jordan, a five-time NBA MVP, won two of his six NBA titles in the 1990s against Sloan, Stockton and the Jazz.
“Growing up, I never thought about the Hall of Fame,” Stockton said. “All I wanted was a chance to go to college.”
