Kobe, Duncan headline 1st-time nominees for 2020 HOF class

Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Chris Bosh lead a star-studded 2020 class of first-time nominees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, its committee announced Thursday.

Veterans Shawn Marion and Michael Finley, as well as WNBA stars Tamika Catchings and Swin Cash, are also included on the list of players.

The finalists will be announced in February during the NBA's All-Star Weekend, and those inducted will be revealed in April during the NCAA Tournament's Final Four.

Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, for whom he spent his entire 20-year career. He won five titles and made 18 All-Star appearances. Bryant ranks third on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 33,643 points.

Duncan also spent his entire career with only one team, winning five NBA championships - during which he captured three Finals MVP awards - in his 19 years with the San Antonio Spurs. The former No. 1 overall pick was a 10-time All-NBA first-team selection and earned NBA All-Defensive first-team honors on eight occasions.

Garnett spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves before capturing his lone ring in 2008 with the Boston Celtics. "The Big Ticket" is one of four players in league history to win an MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award.

Bosh was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors from the celebrated 2003 draft class, which included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony. The 11-time All-Star later joined James and Wade to form the Miami Heat's Big Three, and helped the club win back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Bosh's career came to a premature end due to blood clots.