The Alaska Sports Hall of Fame has announced that Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer is among five inductees selected to the Hall’s Class of 2008. 

“It’s an honor to be placed in the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame,” said Boozer. “It means a great deal to me.  I have so much respect for those who came before me, and that is why I feel so blessed to have been selected.  This is an honor that my family and I will cherish.”

Although born in Aschaffenburg, Germany, Boozer grew up in Juneau, Alaska, where he attended Douglas High School from 1995-99.  There Boozer was named Alaska’s Player of the Year three times while leading the Crimson Bears to a 95-12 record over his four seasons, including state titles his sophomore and junior years.  He was twice named a Parade All-American, and was a USA Today First-Team All-American selection following his senior year.

Following his high school career in Alaska, Boozer would go on to a storied three-year career at Duke University, including a national championship in 2001, prior to becoming an early entry into the NBA Draft.  Now in his sixth NBA season, and fourth with the Jazz, Boozer was named an NBA All-Star in 2007 and led the Jazz to the 2007 Western Conference Finals.  He was most recently named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Month for the opening month of the 2007-08 season.

“Carlos is well deserving of his induction into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame even at this early stage of his athletic career,” said Harlow Robinson, President of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame.

"Alaskans are very proud of the fact that one of their own has become a dominating NBA power forward.”

“The selection panel was aware of the fact that Carlos has not forgotten where he came from.  Inductees are voted on based on pride and positive distinction.  The fact that Carlos gives back to his hometown of Juneau played into the panel's decision making."

In addition to Boozer, the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2008 includes former Duke star “The Alaskan Assassin” Trajan Langdon, the first Alaskan to play in the NBA; Joe Redington Sr., founder of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race; Mark Schlereth, three-time Super Bowl champion and current ESPN NFL analyst; and Rick Swenson, five-time Iditarod champion.

The public is welcome to attend the induction ceremony for the class on February 22, 2008 at the ConocoPhillips atrium in Anchorage.

For additional information about the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, visit www.alaskasportshall.org.