Toni Kukoč named in Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
The Chicago Bulls are set to pay tribute to key figures who played pivotal roles in shaping the franchise’s legacy. In a new initiative called the Ring of Honor, the Bulls will honor former players, coaches, and front office staff.
The inaugural class, to be celebrated in January, features basketball legends such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, as well as Croatian Toni Kukoč, along with the 1995-96 championship-winning team that boasted a remarkable 72-10 record.
Other distinguished individuals to be recognized include Phil Jackson, Jerry Krause, Artis Gilmore, Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, Chet Walker, Johnny “Red” Kerr, Tex Winter, and Dick Klein.
The Ring of Honor aims to celebrate the 57-year history of the Chicago Bulls and acknowledges the deep connections these individuals have with fans and the community.
Bulls President Michael Reinsdorf expressed excitement about the unique celebration, emphasizing the honored figures’ embodiment of qualities such as competition, hard work, and toughness.
Introducing the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor!
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 12, 2023
We are excited to announce our Ring of Honor, celebrating past players, coaches, and front office staff who have made outstanding contributions.
Join us for the ceremony at our Ring of Honor Game, presented by @MagellanCorp, on 1/12. pic.twitter.com/eiSlmIGN6r
The festivities will kick off with a private gala at the United Center on January 11, followed by a halftime presentation during a game against the Golden State Warriors on January 12. Notably, Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who was part of the 1995-96 Bulls team, will also be part of the celebration.
Looking ahead, the Bulls plan to expand the Ring of Honor every two years, with the next class set to be inducted in 2026. To be eligible for inclusion, players must have spent a minimum of three seasons with the team and be retired from basketball for at least three years.
Kukoč, who has already been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the FIBA international basketball Hall of Fame, was one of the first established European stars to play in the NBA, winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1996 and 3 NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s.
