GLENDALE, AZ (April 6, 2024) – The basketball world reverberated with excitement as the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame unveiled the 13 illustrious inductees for the Class of 2024. The eagerly anticipated announcement took place in Glendale, Arizona, amidst the backdrop of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four and was broadcasted live on ESPN2, captivating audiences worldwide.
Among the esteemed honorees stands Alexandria’s very own Coach Charles Smith, a towering figure in Louisiana basketball lore. Renowned as the state’s all-time winningest high school head coach, Smith’s remarkable career trajectory is punctuated by his unrivaled success at Peabody Magnet High School.
Since assuming coaching duties in 1985, Smith has etched his name into the annals of basketball history, guiding the Peabody Warhorses to an unprecedented ten state championships and amassing an extraordinary record-breaking tally of over 1,189 victories, surpassing the previous mark in 2020. His coaching prowess reached its zenith during two flawless seasons in 2004 and 2010, where the Warhorses achieved a perfect 41-0 record and garnered national top-five rankings.
Smith’s unparalleled achievements have not gone unnoticed, earning him prestigious accolades such as ESPN’s National Coach of the Year in 2010. His induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021 serve as enduring testaments to his enduring legacy and profound impact on the sport.
The announcement of Coach Charles Smith’s induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame stands as a proud moment for the city of Alexandria and a fitting tribute to his unwavering dedication, strategic brilliance, and transformative influence on generations of basketball enthusiasts.
The Class of 2024 induction ceremony, slated for August 16-17, promises to be a momentous occasion as basketball aficionados from around the globe converge in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Birthplace of Basketball, and the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, to celebrate the remarkable achievements and enduring legacies of these basketball icons. As Coach Charles Smith takes his rightful place among the basketball immortals, his induction serves as a beacon of inspiration and a testament to the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and excellence in the world of basketball.
