Lakers News: Michael Cooper to Be Inducted into Hall of Fame with Lakers Legends by His Side

Michael Cooper, a prominent figure during the Los Angeles Lakers’ illustrious Showtime era, is set to receive basketball’s highest honor as he is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Slated for October 13, 2024, at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET, this ceremony will see Cooper introduced by Lakers legends including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy, underscoring his significant impact on the franchise and the sport.

Cooper's career with the Lakers spanned an impressive 12 years, during which he was instrumental in securing five NBA championships.

His defensive prowess earned him a spot on the All-Defensive Team eight times, and he was recognized as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.

Throughout his tenure, he averaged 8.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game while maintaining a shooting percentage of 46.9% from the field.

After being drafted as the 60th overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft out of New Mexico, Cooper would eventually leave the NBA but continued to showcase his talent internationally with Virtus Roma, earning All-Star accolades.

Notably, his legacy extended beyond playing as he transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant for the Lakers and leading the Los Angeles Sparks to two WNBA championships while also being named WNBA Coach of the Year in 2000.

This induction ceremony is not just a celebration of Cooper’s past but also an acknowledgment of his wide-reaching influence in basketball.

The ceremony will tip off on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET, and is set to be broadcast exclusively on NBA TV. Given that this will be Turner's final year with NBA broadcast rights, one wonders if that will extend to moments like this in the future, too.

Going Deeper

Reference Links:

1. Michael Cooper Induction Announcement
2. YouTube Highlights on Cooper
3. More on Cooper's Career