Former Houston Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich is officially a 2020 finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The NBA announced the news Friday in Chicago as part of All-Star Weekend activities. Tomjanovich was also a finalist in 2017 and 2018, though he was not among the final group in 2019.
The 2020 finalists were picked from almost 200 nominees, with the full elected class to be unveiled at the Final Four in Atlanta on April 4.
Now 71 years old, Tomjanovich played for the Rockets from 1970 through 1981, and was head coach from 1992 through 2003. That run included Houston’s only two NBA titles in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons.
The eight finalists for this year's Hall of Fame class:
Kim Mulkey
Rudy Tomjanovich
Barbara Stevens
Eddie Sutton
Kobe Bryant
Tim Duncan
Kevin Garnett
Tamika Catchings— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 14, 2020
Rudy Tomjanovich is once again a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (@HoopHall): “It’s always an honor. I’m touched and moved by it. Always hope for the best.”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 14, 2020
In his 11-plus seasons as head coach, Tomjanovich led the Rockets to a 503-397 (.559) regular-season record and a 51-39 (.567) mark in the NBA playoffs, headlined by Houston’s two championships in 1994 and 1995. He is by far the winningest coach in franchise history.
But “Rudy T,” as he’s best known in Rockets’ circles, was also a dynamic player — with averages of 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game over 11 seasons. He was a five-time All-Star at power forward.
Rudy Tomjanovich is once again a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (@HoopHall) & if he gets in this time: “It would mean a lot. It’s a great honor.”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 14, 2020
Tomjanovich is the only coach in history with multiple NBA titles and an Olympic gold medal who is not in the Hall of Fame.
In recent months, several storied NBA coaches went out of their way to make the case for Tomjanovich’s Hall of Fame induction.
Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich asked if he’ll ever allow himself to be nominated for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: “The only name I would look for is Rudy Tomjanovich b/c it’s long overdue. It was great to c his name on that list.That’s the name everybody should look at” pic.twitter.com/ze3rdb0fW6
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) December 20, 2019
Jeff Van Gundy on Rudy Tomjanovich a candidate again for the Basketball Hall of Fame:"There are very few no-brainers.This was a no-brainer.I don't understand,for the life of me,how someone who could be casting a ballot,could say he's not worthy. It's nonsense. It's just nonsense"
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) December 19, 2019
Rick Carlisle on the potential of Rudy Tomjanovich being elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: “Rudy’s one of the great coaches in history. His back-to-back titles and his Olympic championship are huge milestones in his career.” pic.twitter.com/A6fefcloJQ
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 31, 2020
Further details about the voting panel and the election process are available at the Basketball Hall of Fame’s official website.
Tomjanovich is the only NBA head coach among this year’s finalists.
[lawrence-related id=22465,7924]
Only eight finalists this season. No direct inductees. I'm going to believe it again. This is the year for Rudy T.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 14, 2020
Congratulations to #20HoopClass finalist Rudy Tomjanovich, who is one of three coaches to win an @NBA Championship and an Olympic gold medal! pic.twitter.com/fsSydLO7zo
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) February 14, 2020