Pacers’ Reggie Miller nominated for Hall of Fame

ORLANDO — Former Indiana Pacers great Reggie Miller was named Friday as a first-time finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame, one of a dozen finalists for the class of 2012.

“When you’re in the backyard and you’re trying to play the 3-2-1 game, and you’re trying to be the Iceman (George Gervin) and do the figure roll. … Now to be on the same stage with these guys. It’s just a great honor,” Miller said.

Miller, a five-time All-Star, wasn’t nominated last year in his first year of eligibility.

He was joined as a first-time finalist by five-time NCAA collegiate Final Four coach Rick Pitino, former NBA coach Bill Fitch and two-time Olympic gold medalist Katrina McClain.

On the ballot again are Don Nelson, Maurice Cheeks, Bernard King, Dick Motta, Hank Nichols, Ralph Sampson, Jamaal Wilkes and the All-American Red Heads, known as the female version of the Harlem Globetrotters and the first women’s professional basketball team.

The 2012 class will be announced April 2 at the NCAA Final Four in New Orleans.

A finalist needs 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election.

Five 2012 inductees were announced on Friday as direct elections.

They included Nike co-founder Phil Knight as a contributor.

“I was so shaken that my knees almost buckled,” Knight said.