Jack Nicholson to be added to SuperFan Gallery at Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will add Jack Nicholson to their James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery this fall.
Few, if any, celebrities are more synonymous with the NBA and a specific team than Jack Nicholson and the Lakers. A mainstay on the sidelines at Staples Center for decades, when it comes to famous fans of the NBA, Nicholson is right at the top of the list.
Now, he’ll be properly recognized for that. On Friday, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced that Nicholson was one of four SuperFans that would be added to the James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery along with Spike Lee, Billy Crystal and Alan Horwitz.
“We are excited to welcome Billy Crystal, Alan Horwitz, Spike Lee, and Jack Nicholson into our SuperFan family,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “These individuals have not only been passionate fans but have also significantly contributed to the rich culture of basketball. Their unwavering dedication to the game and their ability to connect with fans make them truly deserving of this recognition.”
If I was being picky, I would argue that creating a SuperFan wing and not immediately including both Spike Lee and Nicholson in it is the wrong call, but at least they’re in there now.
According to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the gallery was created in 2018 and celebrates iconic and dedicated fans on a handful of criteria.
- A proven history of attending games for a particular team or teams
- A genuine love for basketball, demonstrated by their deep knowledge and passion
- A recognizable and respected reputation within the basketball community
- A profound respect and appreciation for the history of the game
The quartet will be recognized in the afternoon on Oct. 13, hours before the enshrinement ceremony that evening. Unfortunately, per the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame release, Nicholson will not be attending the event.
The same weekend as Nicholson goes in as a Laker-adjacent figure, Michael Cooper, who very much is a Laker through and through, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as well.
It’ll certainly be a fun weekend for Lakers fans and a well-deserved honor for Nicholson.
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