For Immediate Release

SALT LAKE CITY - March 29, 2000 - Fans 4 Dantley, an organization of former Adrian Dantley Basketball Camp attendees and fans, today saluted the North Amercian Screening Committee of the Naismith Hall of Fame for selecting Adrian Dantley as a finalist for the 2001 Hall of Fame class.

Fans 4 Dantley, a one-year-old organization which has collected more than 1,500 signatures on an online petition and held numerous rallies including one at the recent All-Star game in Washington D.C., is also encouraging the 24 anonymous members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Honors Committee to elect Dantley to the 2001 Class.

"We are elated that A.D. has been named to the 2001 ballot and sincerely hope the Honors Committee will carefully consider Dantley's contributions to the game of basketball both on and off the court," said Fans 4 Dantley president Chris Thomas. "Dantley was a quiet force who was not only one of the greatest players of all-time, but also a mentor to many children in the communities where he has lived and played. As recipients of Dantley's kindness and efforts in giving back, we encourage the Honors Committee to elect A.D. as part of the 2001 class."

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced late yesterday that Dantley along with six other players, seven coaches and three contributors were named as finalists for enshrinement as part of the 2001 class. To be elected, each finalist must receive at least 18 of 24 votes from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Honors Committee. The new electees will be announced during the week of May 22-26 and enshrined on Oct. 5, 2001.

Dantley is the only eligible player among the top 24 scorers in NBA history who has not been inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame. He scored 23,177 points which ranks him 16th on the NBA all-time scoring list -- ahead of such greats as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Dr. J and Elgin Baylor. Dantley was a six-time All-Star and was voted to the starting team five of those six years. During his 15-year career, he won two NBA scoring championships (1981, 1984), averaged 30 points per game (ppg) or better four times, was named NBA Comeback Player of the Year (1984), was named to the All-NBA Team twice, and was Rookie of the Year in 1977.

In addition, Dantley was a two time collegiate First Team All-American at Notre Dame, and led the USA to the Gold Medal in the 1976 Olympic Games scoring a game-high 32 points in the championship game against Yugoslavia. His contributions to the community include buying season tickets for underprivileged youth, work for a number of children's causes and his efforts in staging annual summer basketball camps .