Tony Parker and Pau Gasol played for him. Becky Hammon coached alongside him. Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade played against him.

Gregg Popovitch is a new member of the NBA Hall of Fame.

The Basketball Hall of Fame made it official on Saturday: Three of the biggest international names in basketball — Nowitzki, Parker and Gasol, join Wade, Hammon and Popovich as headliners for the 2023 cohort.

The group will be inducted on August 11 and 12, at ceremonies in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

“It’s basketball heaven,” Wade said during the announcement made in Houston and broadcast to ESPN on Saturday.

Also had the call of the Temple: the United States women’s team at the 1976 Olympics; former Purdue coach Gene Keady, seven-time Big Ten Coach of the Year; the former women’s basketball coach at Texas A

The late Jim Valvano, coach who led N.C. State to the NCAA title in 1983, was selected as a contributor — also given his work as a television commentator and as a strong advocate for cancer research, including with the V Foundation.

Hall of Fame President Jerry Colangelo told new members or their families the happy news earlier this week. Most of them joined Colangelo and other Temple members on Friday for a welcome dinner.

On Saturday, they made their first public appearance as basketball royalty.

“This cohort doesn’t just represent all levels of basketball — they really represent what our game is and where it’s at,” Colangelo said. There are the countries represented, Germany, Spain, France. It shows how widespread basketball has become. »

Hammon was a six-time WNBA All-Star.

She supported Popovich for a long time with the San Antonio Spurs. Since last year, she has managed the Las Vegas Aces, defending WNBA champions.

Popovich has won five NBA titles, more games than anyone in league history and a gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Games.

“He’s amazing,” said Golden State coach Steve Kerr, who played for Popovich and served as his assistant with USA Basketball at the 2019 World Cup and then in Tokyo.

The long held belief was that Popovich wanted certain people admitted before he himself was considered. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili were due to go in first, and Popovich also pushed for Rudy Tomjanovich.

Parker admitted at the same time that Popovich seems appropriate, and Popovich has long touted Hammon’s abilities.

“I always thought the Temple was for, say, Red Holzman, Red Auerbach, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. I never felt like I really belonged there,” Popovich said. It’s not false modesty.”

The Spaniard Gasol won his two NBA championships in the uniform of the Los Angeles Lakers, with his dear friend Kobe Bryant.

Nowitzki, the great German who changed basketball with his skills given his size, spent his entire 21-year career with Dallas. He is sixth among the scorers in history.

Parker, who grew up in France, won four champion rings with Popovich’s Spurs.

“When Jerry called, I tried to keep it cool on the phone. Still, it’s really great, Nowitzki said.

“I called my family and my mom immediately said, ‘I’m a Hall of Famer’s mom.’ This is where I really realized it. »

Wade won three titles with Miami. At the Heat’s home, the numbers of five former players are retired — Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Chris Bosh and Wade. The five are now bound by membership in the Temple.

The cohort will receive their Hall of Fame jackets and rings on August 11 in Uncasville, Connecticut. The ceremony and speeches will take place on August 12 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“It’s amazing,” Popovich said. It is obviously an honor. I find myself with people I have always admired. It’s a bit surreal. All I can do is thank everyone who has helped me get this far. »