Congressman Towns Wants to See Bernard King in the NBA Hall of Fame

             Brooklyn Congressman Edolphus “Ed” Towns (NY10) takes pride in being in the business of promoting justice—whether it’s protecting voting rights, seeking ways to improve education, or making sure that people are treated fairly in acquiring housing and employment.  Now he would like to see justice done for former NBA all-star Bernard King who—despite a phenomenal NBA career—has not been given his rightful place among basketball elite players in the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame.

            “Bernard King belongs in the Hall of Fame,” Rep. Towns stated emphatically.  “There is no logical reason why he has not been inducted.  He is the only player in the history of the league to have led the league in scoring but has not been voted into the Hall.”  Bernard King led the NBA in scoring in 1985 with a 32.9 point average and accumulated 19,655 points during his NBA career that spanned 14 years.  He was ranked 16th on the NBA all-time scoring list when he retired in 1991.

            Bernard King was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where he attended Fort Hamilton High School.  He played basketball at the University of Tennessee before being the seventh player drafted in the 1977 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets.  King, a four-time NBA All-Star, was twice voted to the All-NBA First Team and was second to Larry Bird in voting for the Most Valuable Player award in 1984—the year he was The Sporting News’ MVP.

            “There is no doubt in my mind that Bernard King belongs in the Hall of Fame,” Rep. Towns repeated.  “The NBA Hall of Fame Committee has committed an oversight by not voting Bernard King into the Hall.  I want to see this injustice corrected,” Rep. Towns stated.

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