体坛英语新闻：Shaq, Iverson among NBA Hall of Fame finalists, join Yao

TORONTO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson were among the fourteen finalists announced Friday for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's 2016 Class as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend in Toronto, the very first time held outside of the United States in its 65-year history.

The original list of 43 nominees in the North American Committee and 14 nominees in the Women's Committee were reduced down to eleven and three, respectively.

Headlining the finalists in the North American Committee are four-time NBA Champion and 15-time NBA All-Star, Shaquille O'Neal and nine-time NBA All-Star and 2001 NBA MVP, Allen Iverson.

Meanwhile, WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes, who won four WNBA Championships and three Olympic gold medals is the most noteworthy from the three finalists from the Women's Committee side.

O'Neal, Iverson and Swoopes were all eligible for the first time. As is China's Yao Ming, who is not among the fourteen, but is a finalist through the international category.

Separate from the two committees are four direct-elect groups; Early African-American Pioneers, International, Contributor and Veterans. Nominated candidates in these groups automatically reach the election stage.

"I feel like I'm too young for that," said Yao, who was in attendance for the ceremony on Friday afternoon in Toronto.

After an 8-year NBA career shortened due to injuries, Yao could reach the Hall of Fame at the age of 35.

"When I was a boy playing in school, I don't know much about the outside world in the States and the Hall of Fame," said Yao. "We don't know about that until the late 1990s. Still, that was almost light years away from us, and here we are today."

Yao believes that being inducted will continue to grow the game of basketball in China.

"I feel that this is not the end, it's just the beginning for the new generation and hope that can tell a good story for them to encourage them to join the sport of basketball," he said.

The results of the election for the 2016 Class will be unveiled on Apr. 4 in Houston with their enshrinement taking place in September.