Tonight is the night 🤩
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 12, 2024
Our inaugural Ring of Honor class will be recognized during halftime of tonight's game vs. Golden State.
Stay tuned for content from our Ring of Honor Game, presented by @MagellanCorp. pic.twitter.com/PJyhmYbKjc
The inaugural class for the new Ring of Honor unveiled this weekend featured 13 inductees, mainly celebrating the Bulls from 1995-1998, when the team won a second three-peat and posted a then-NBA record 72 wins.
Basketball legends Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman were absent from the festivities, but they still sent video addresses to acknowledge the momentous event.
Michael Jordan sent this message ahead of our Ring of Honor celebrations: pic.twitter.com/0HjOFFpXUj
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 12, 2024
Other honorees included head coach Phil Jackson, Toni Kukoc, Artis Gilmore, Tex Winter, Chet Walker, Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, Dick Klein, Johhny Kerr, and General Manager Jerry Krause.
Having to be considered in the inaugural ceremony was no easy feat.
The Bulls say the main criteria for the first Ring of Honor class is the induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame or a banner in the United Center rafters.
Other considerations include spending at least three seasons with the Bulls family, significant achievements with the franchise or holding records that have been sustained throughout team history, and having demonstrated high character and integrity in and beyond play.
Former Bulls player and now Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr was in attendance to commemorate the Bulls’ historic championship runs.
“Just great to be here with our team so great of the Bulls to put it together. I’m very flattered to put it together around our game so I can be here,” he shared in the post-game conference. “We had a wonderful night not only at the gala but [also] afterwards… connecting with the team, a lot of stories, a lot of fun. Just a great great night.”
Every two years, the Bulls will induct new members into the Ring of Honor and the next batch of names will be unveiled in 2026.
