Check out the Temple News special on Chaney’s induction
SPRINGFIELD, MA. — John Chaney was enshrined into the National Basketball Hall of Fame Friday.
Chaney was inducted with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and former Sixer Moses Malone. The three are the final class of inductees in the current Hall. A new Hall of Fame is under construction and will open next Summer.
Chaney, who was presented by former Georgetown coach, and longtime friend, John Thompson, spoke for 38 minutes.
“I’m going to be lengthy,” Chaney said before the ceremony. “I don’t think you can get here without thinking about the people that got you here. There is so many people, in addition to your extended family that have been apart of you.”
One of those people has been Thompson.
“Everytime you see a face you have a great memory,” Chaney said about Thompson. I look at this man next to me here, he is something special in my life, one of my mentors.
“First of all I was extremely honored that he asked me, ” Thompson said about being asked to present Chaney. “Secondly I was elated that he was inducted.”
Chaney says that although he is still pinching himself about the situation, he is honored to be inducted with such class guys as Malone and Kryzyzewski.
“I can’t help but feel good about Moses,” Chaney said. “Moses was a guy who was almost self taught. He was a guy that was so determined and so skillful. He is so humorous, it is amazing tht he has developed what he has without not having gone to college.”
Although on the court Chaney battles every season with Kryzyzewski he still has the upmost respect for him.
“Mike is a guy who I have been involved with for many years,” Chaney said. “He is a champion of so many causes, fighting for access and opportunity for youngsters. I am very proud I had an opportunity to go in with these guys.”
Chaney said he enjoys the support of the Temple fans; many of whom will be on hand at the induction ceremony Friday night.
“They told me I had a couple of fans coming out from Philly, and now it seems like there are quite a lot,” Chaney said. “When it gets down to people cheering for you, and wishing for you it speaks volumes and it comes out of Philadelphia with a loud sound.”
Two bus loads of Temple students came up to Springfield for the ceremony.
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