San Antonio Spurs great Ginobili headlines NBA Hall of Fame nominees

Four-time NBA champion Manu Ginobili is among this year’s finalists for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The San Antonio Spurs legend, who retired from the league following the 2017-18 season after 16 years with the franchise, was part of the side that triumphed in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.

Ginobili also helped Argentina win an Olympic gold medal at Athens 2004.

The 44-year-old, who returned to Spurs as Special Advisor to Basketball Operations in September, was announced at a conference on Friday as one of 11 finalists ahead of the All-Star Weekend.

Former All-Star players Marques Johnson, Tim Hardaway and Michael Cooper are also on the list of nominees, along with coach George Karl and WNBA stars Lindsay Whelan and Swin Cash.

The Hall of Fame’s class of 2022 will be announced at the men’s Final Four in New Orleans on April 2, with the enshrinement scheduled to take place in September.