Miller, Sampson, Nelson headed to Basketball Hall of Fame

NEW ORLEANS, April 2 (UPI) -- Reggie Miller, Ralph Sampson and Don Nelson were selected to be part of the 2012 class for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame, officials said Monday.

Also to be inducted are Jamaal Wilkes, Katrina McClain, Hank Nichols and the All American Red Heads, the first women's pro basketball team.

Miller was a five-time NBA all-star and is 14th on the all-time NBA scoring list with 25,279 points. Sampson was a three-time collegiate player of the year while at Virginia. Nelson owns the record for most victories by an NBA coach -- 1,335 from 1976-2010.

Wilkes played on four NBA and two NCAA championship teams. McClain is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two time collegiate women's player of the year. Nichols officiated six national championship games and 10 Final Four.

The All American Red Heads were often referred to as the female version of the Harlem Globetrotters, touring extensively from 1936-86.

They join Mel Daniels, Don Barksdale, Lidia Alexeeva, Chet Walker and Phil Knight, whose names was announced in February.

"The Class of 2012 is a true representation of the game of basketball, reaching all levels within the sport," said Jerry Colangelo, chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Board.

"We are pleased with the changes to the voting process by adding the direct elects and the impact it will make on recognizing the game's true ambassadors into the future."

The Class of 2012 will be indicted into the Basketball Hall of Fame Sept. 7 in Springfield, Mass.