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Naismith #16HoopClass to be revealed on 11 a.m. ET SportsCenter special hosted by Czarniak and Davis

Rece Davis (L) and Lindsay Czarniak will co-host a SportsCenter special at 11 a.m. today announcing the  the 2016 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of inductees. (Davis: Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images/Czarniak: Scott Evans/ESPN  Images)
Rece Davis (L) and Lindsay Czarniak will co-host a SportsCenter special at 11 a.m. today announcing the the 2016 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of inductees.
(Davis: Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images/Czarniak: Scott Evans/ESPN Images)

HOUSTON – Today, in a first-time telecast for ESPN, the 2016 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of inductees will be announced live from the House of Blues during a SportsCenter special (11 a.m. ET) hosted by Rece Davis and Lindsay Czarniak.

Davis has been helming College GameDay’s extensive men’s Final Four coverage from Space City, while Czarniak will anchor tonight’s 6 p.m. SC, live from courtside at NRG Stadium prior to tonight’s title tilt between Villanova and North Carolina.

Front Row spoke with Davis for his thoughts on bringing the event to ESPN’s audience for the first time and how special it is to co-host the event.

What does it mean for you to be part of this ceremony?
I’m honored to be a part of the ceremony. It’s a thrill to be able to cover the sports I love, but it’s really cool to be there to witness the history. I care deeply about the good of the game. There is no greater honor for an individual in sport than to be elected to the hall of fame. There are several members of this class who have had great influence on what we see in the game now.

We are happy to be able to showcase those people and give them their due. We look forward to the Hall of Famers being able to tell their stories. I always wonder what people who are absolute locks for the Hall of Fame think when they get the call. It’s the borderline people you think that would be the most anxious. From past experience, that’s not always the case. It’s a pretty overwhelming thing to get into the Hall of Fame.

ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale is among  Rece Davis' favorite Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame inductees. (Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images)
Dick Vitale is among Rece Davis’ favorite Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame inductees. (Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images)

Do you have a favorite Naismith Hall of Famer? Who and why?
Am I not contractually obligated to say Dick Vitale? I’d written pieces a couple of times as we awaited word wondering whether Dick would be elected. When he was, it was neat to see his reaction to the piece on the air.

I really can’t pick one favorite. The time I spent working and calling games with Bob Knight was great for me. I learned a ton about the game from Coach Knight. I count him as a close friend. So he and Dick are among my favorites.

But my favorite player of all time is Julius Erving. His grace and artistic dunks were part of the reason I developed a passion for the game. I mean, don’t we usually revere the things we can’t do? I was so sure if I just got some of those Converse shoes Doc advertised I could jump like him. Turns out you needed to be able to put his ability in the shoes.

What is the hardest part of doing a first-time ESPN television event?
I’m not sure. . . and hopefully we won’t find out. Seriously, our crew is well-prepared and they’ve all worked tremendously hard to make this a unique and entertaining show. We walked through all of the logistical aspects in great detail. You just have to be ready to react to the unexpected and mostly, give the occasion its due while making it fun. I think Lindsay and I can handle that.

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