Tamika Catchings was among the most recent class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. (File photo by Mike Deak)

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings can now call herself a Hall of Famer.

She was announced as part of one of the most star-studded classes in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s history, joining NBA superstars Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, and Baylor women’s coach Kim Mulkey, Bentley’s women’s coach Barbara Stevens, men’s coaches Eddie Sutton and Rudy Tomjanovich, and FIBA executive Patrick Baumann.

“The Class of 2020 is undoubtedly one of the most historic of all time and the talent and social influence of these nine honorees is beyond measure,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in a statement. “In 2020, the basketball community has suffered the unimaginable loss of iconic figures Commissioner David Stern and Kobe Bryant, as well as the game itself due to COVID-19. We have also banded together like never before in appreciation of the game and those who have made it the uniting force it is today. Today we thank the Class of 2020 for all they have done for the game of basketball and we look forward to celebrating them at Enshrinement in August.”

The announcement was originally scheduled as part of the Final Four on Saturday but with the event canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the inductees were announced on ESPN at noon. Each had to receive at least 18 of the 24 votes for enshrinement. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Aug. 29. Catchings has also been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which is now scheduled for June 12, 2021.

Catchings is on the short list of greatest women’s basketball players of all-time. She was the first sophomore to be named Illinois Miss Basketball, leading Stevenson High School to the state title and No. 1 ranking nationally in 1995.