The announcement of the 2014 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class is just around the corner, but it appears Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson could not keep a secret when it comes to his former Showtime teammate Michael Cooper’s status.
Cooper has been named a finalist a few years in a row now but had not made the cut until this year.
Johnson took to social media on Thursday evening to announce that Cooper’s time has finally come as a part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class with an official announcement expected to come on Saturday:
I don’t even know where to start! I tried to wait until Saturday…but I just can’t hold the news ? I’m so so thrilled that my Showtime running mate and one of my best friends Michael Cooper has been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame!!
Coop is the greatest… pic.twitter.com/54K0S0znWa
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 5, 2024
Johnson and Cooper were drafted a year apart by the Lakers and played their entire careers together, so the former is certainly a trustable source when it comes to this information. James Worthy also provided confirmation on his social media as well:
Congratulations to the Minister of Defense, Michael Cooper – 2024 inductee to the Hall of Fame. WELL DESERVED!@ShowtimeCooper @Hoophall @nba @lakers #24HoopClass pic.twitter.com/GVFobuL6DZ
— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) April 4, 2024
If Cooper is indeed elected into the Hall of Fame, it will be a well-deserved and long-overdue honor for the Los Angeles native.
The Lakers originally drafted Cooper with the 60th pick in the third round out of the University of New Mexico. He would go on to spend his entire 12-year NBA career with the Lakers, becoming one of the best defenders in the league.
Cooper was selected to eight All-NBA Defensive Teams, with five of those being in the first team. He also won the 1986-87 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and was a big part of the Lakers winning five NBA championships in the 1980s.
After finishing his playing career, Cooper transitioned to coaching, where he has spent nearly two decades coaching for the Lakers, Los Angeles Sparks, Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Dream, among others. He has since coached at the high school and college level as he continues to give back to the community he has spent so many years in.
Former Lakers executive Jerry West named to Hall of Fame for third time
Also joining the 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame class with Cooper is the first head coach he had in the NBA, Jerry West. This marks a record third Hall of Fame election for West, who is going in as an executive.
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