SPOKANE, Wash. – The road to Hoopfest officially began Wednesday night as the Hooptown Hall of Fame welcomed its newest class of inductees at the Hooptown USA court near Riverfront Park.
The annual ceremony celebrates the players, coaches, and contributors who have helped shape Spokane’s rich basketball tradition, recognizing those whose impact extends far beyond the court.
This year’s class featured a mix of local basketball stars, championship teams, and community icons. Among those honored were former Gonzaga head coach Dan Fitzgerald, whose leadership helped lay the foundation for the Bulldogs’ rise into a national powerhouse. Also inducted was Jeff Brown, a Spokane basketball standout who starred at Mead High School before helping Gonzaga reach new heights in the early 1990s.
“To see what the Spokane basketball community has to offer and how many good basketball players have come out of Spokane,” Brown said. “What makes it most special to me is not just me going in, which is an incredible honor.”
The Hall of Fame also recognized longtime Hoopfest participant Kim Eng, who has become one of the event’s most recognizable figures through decades of competition and dedication to the tournament.
“There are a lot of amazing people in this Hoopfest Hall of Fame, so maybe I feel a little imposter syndrome, but I’m just really lucky and thrilled,” said Eng. “I’m looking forward to playing basketball with some of my girlfriends, hoping I don’t get hurt, but just having a good time.”
Former Central Valley and Arizona State standout Emily Westerberg Love was honored for her accomplishments at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
Rounding out the class was the Ferris High School boys basketball teams from 2006 to 2008, a group that captured back-to-back state championships and remains one of the most accomplished teams in Washington high school basketball history.
The ceremony served as the official kickoff to Hoopfest weekend, with thousands of players and spectators expected to fill downtown Spokane for the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Competition begins Friday and continues through the weekend, bringing together athletes of all ages and skill levels from across the region and beyond.
As Spokane prepares for another Hoopfest, Wednesday night’s celebration was a reminder of the people and teams who helped build the city’s reputation as Hooptown USA.
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