Boston Celtics great Paul Pierce had the unique experience of learning he was nominated to the 2021 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on live TV on Tuesday.
Appearing on ESPN’s The Jump with Rachel Nichols, Pierce appeared surprised when Nichols said he had made the cut.
“Am I in there?” Pierce asked, beaming, as Nichols made the announcement.
Per a release from the Hall of Fame, Pierce joins fellow first-time nominees Doug Collins, Michael Cooper, Howard Garfinkel, Lou Henson, Paul Pierce, Val Ackerman, Yolanda Griffith and Lauren Jackson. Other nominees include Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Richard Hamilton, Bob Huggins, Ben Wallace, Chris Webber, Jay Wright, Swin Cash and Becky Hammon.