SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Kansas Head Basketball Coach Bill Self was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Friday evening in Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball.
Self told the Associated Press it feels strange to be inducted while he is in the middle of his career, but plans to use the momentum from the honor to keep the success coming.
His career’s high moments include nine 30-win seasons, 13 straight conference wins, and an NCAA championship win in 2008.
KU posted this hype video on Twitter ahead of Self’s induction:
Here's to you, @CoachBillSelf ??#BillSelfHOF pic.twitter.com/xf7U7lh8Jw
— Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) September 8, 2017
Before Self’s induction, there were 19 people in the Hall of Fame with connections to Kansas. Self is number 20.
Self said he expects around 60 of his former players to be present for the ceremony.
One said he knew Self was something special before he gained this formal recognition.
“It's great to say that I played for a hall of famer, but I knew when he recruited me that he was special. Just to get the credentials now and be awarded this while he's still coaching is a great experience. And to be able to enjoy it with him is even greater," former KU Guard Russell Robinson said.
Self is not the only KU coach to be inducted. Phog Allen, Larry Brown, and Roy Williams also hold the honor. In addition, the man after which the Hall of Fame is named, James Naismith, was a KU coach after his time at Springfield College in the 1890s.
KU Assistant Coach Kurtis Townsend said Self isn’t letting any of it go to his head.
“Bill, he's so humble. I know he feels like he doesn't even deserve it, but I thought he was a hall of fame coach after two, three years working for him,” he said.
Self took a moment to thank KU fans before his induction.
"Because of Dr. Naismith, because of Phog Allen, because of history, generationally there is a respect and a role that the fans play to give us the best chance – and I'm not sure everybody has that," he said.
Other members of this year’s 11-person class include NBA star Tracy McGrady, former UConn player Rebecca Lobo, and Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw. Read the full list below.
1) Bill Self
2) Tracy McGrady
3) Rebecca Lobo
4) Zack Clayton
5) Nikos Galis
6) Robert Hughes
7) Mannie Jackson
8) Tom Jernstedt
9) Jerry Krause
10) George McGinnis
11) Muffet McGraw
