Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups heading to the Basketball Hall of Fame

Published 11:24 am Saturday, April 6, 2024

After 17 seasons playing in the NBA, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is heading to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Billups was a five-time All-Star during his career in which he played for the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and most notably the Detroit Pistons.

The guard finished his career averaging 15.2 points per game and 5.4 assists, and was also named to the All-NBA teams three times during his playing days and two All-Defensive teams.

Of course, Billups’ biggest accolade is winning the 2004 Finals MVP award as the Pistons took out the Los Angeles Lakers for the title. Billups averaged 21 points per game and 5.2 assists in the five-game set that Detroit won 4-1.

From Denver, Colorado, Billups was one of only two eligible Finals MVPs still not in the Hall of Fame, shrinking that list to only one in Cedric Maxwell who won the 1981 Finals MVP award for the Celtics.

The start to Billups’ coaching career has looked similar to his playing days with the third-year leader still finding his footing. The Blazers are 79-160 (.331) in nearly three seasons under Billups.

Reportedly joining Billups in the 2024 class is Vince Carter with the formal announcement set to be made during the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four on Saturday, April 6.