Kobe Bryant one of finalists announced as candidates for enshrinement into Basketball Hall of Fame

Kobe Bryant was one of eight finalists announced Friday as candidates for enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, a decision that came as absolutely no surprise in his first year of eligibility.

Joining Bryant as first-time finalists for the Hall included: 15-time All-Star Tim Duncan, fellow 15-time All-Star Kevin Garnett and 10-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings.

This year's enshrinement class will be announced on April 4 at college basketball's Final Four in Atlanta. The induction ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts is Aug. 29.

Bryant was an 18-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is the No. 4 scorer in league history. He, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, died in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Jan. 26.