Grant Hill, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd among 2018 Hall of Fame inductees

Grant Hill, Steve Nash, and Jason Kidd will headline the 2018 class of inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Hall of Fame shortened the enshrinement process from five to three calendar years after retirement, which allowed Nash to be celebrated despite playing briefly for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013-14. Hill and Kidd last appeared in 2012-13 before calling it quits.

Nash, a two-time MVP, was the most accomplished of the group. The fearless and floppy-haired Canadian revolutionized the game while leading the "Seven Seconds or Less" teams in Phoenix. Nash's shooting ability, tempo, and slick passing ushered in the current generation of lead guards, and the space-and-pace style that he perfected is now prevalent across the league.

Kidd was a 10-time All-Star that made his name with the New Jersey Nets before eventually winning the title in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks. Kidd was one of the cleverest players to ever set foot on an NBA court, and he was a fierce competitor on both ends of the floor. He earned nine All-Defensive nods and led the league in assists three times.

Hill made his name as one of the best collegiate players of all time, before taking the NBA by storm as the co-Rookie of the Year winner alongside Kidd. Hill was immensely popular, he made seven All-Star appearances, and was a consistent 20-point, eight-rebound, six-assist point forward before he succumbed to a devastating ankle injury that nearly derailed his career. Against the odds, Hill recovered and enjoyed an extended 19-year run.

Head coach and former four-time All-Star point guard Maurice "Mo" Cheeks will also be part of the 2018 Hall of Fame class, Wojnarowski adds. Cheeks was a four-time All-Star and a five-time All-Defensive player before transitioning into coaching, where he currently serves as an assistant with the Oklahoma City Thunder.