Ex-Piston Chauncey Billups named finalist for Basketball Hall of Fame

Chauncey Billups is one step closer to basketball immortality.

The Pistons' legend and current Portland Trail Blazers coach has been named a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which was announced on Friday evening.

Billups joins a list of 14 finalists that includes eight-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter, five-time NBA champion Michael Cooper, six-time All-Star Walter Davis, legendary coach Bo Ryan and four-time WNBA champion Seimone Augustus.

Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star and former NBA Finals MVP, is lauded in Detroit for leading the Pistons to an NBA championship over the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. He averaged 15.2 points and 5.4 assists during his 17-year NBA career. His 89.4% free-throw percentage ranks sixth in NBA/ABA history.

Billups was drafted third overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics and played for eight teams, but is largely recognized for his seven seasons with the Pistons. He is one of 11 players to have their jersey number retired by the Pistons, which also includes Ben Wallace — a Class of 2021 enshrinee.

Rounding out the list of finalists are former Pistons coach Doug Collins, Dick Barnett, Harley Redin, Charles Smith, Herb Simon, Michele Timms, Marian Washington, and Jerry West (as a contributor).

Billups earned the nickname "Mr. Big Shot" for his consistent ability to score in pivotal moments, which included several game-winners during his time in Detroit.

Billups has been a candidate for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame every year since 2018, but this is the first time he's been named a finalist.

The Class of 2024 will be announced in Phoenix on April 6 at the NCAA Men’s Final Four. The enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 17 in Springfield.

mcurtis@detroitnews.com

@MikeACurtis2