Former Pistons great Bill Laimbeer nominated as first-time candidate for Hall of Fame

Detroit — Former Pistons center Bill Laimbeer was announced as a first-time nominee for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday.

Laimbeer, the rugged big man known for his low-post defense and ability to stretch the floor, was a key member of the "Bad Boys" teams that won the franchise's first two NBA championships in 1988-89 and 1989-90.

Laimbeer joined six other high-profile candidates that will be considered for the Class of 2024, including the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team ("Redeem Team"), Vince Carter, Seimone Augustus, Rick Barnes, Mike Fratello and Penny Taylor.

The former Bad Boys bruiser had a 14-year playing career, mostly with the Pistons, that ended 11 games into the 1993-94 season at the age of 36. He also played the first two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who drafted him with the 65th pick of the 1979 NBA Draft.

Laimbeer was one of the NBA's most versatile centers throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s. A four-time All-Star, Laimbeer averaged 12.9 points and 9.7 rebounds. He shot 49% from the field and 83% from the free-throw line. He also became the 19th player in league history to collect more than 10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds. The Pistons retired Laimbeer's No. 40 jersey on Feb. 6, 1995 in a pregame ceremony at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Laimbeer also had a successful coaching career in the WNBA, leading the Detroit Shock to championships in 2003, 2006 and 2008 before the team was relocated to Tulsa, Okla. in 2009. He was named WNBA Coach of the Year twice: in 2003 and in 2015 with the New York Liberty. Laimbeer returned to Detroit on March 9 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Shock's 2003 WNBA title.

The Hall's Honors Committee will announce this year's finalists for the Class of 2024 on Feb. 16 during NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. The entire class will officially be unveiled during the NCAA Final Four on Apr. 6 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Enshrinement weekend is set for Aug. 16, 2024, which concludes with the enshrinement ceremony on Aug. 17.

mcurtis@detroitnews.com

@MikeACurtis2