Jerry Colangelo, Gus Johnson and Johnny Kerr Finalists for Hall

Suns Chairman Jerry Colangelo, former Head Coach Johnny Kerr and former player Gus Johnson have been named finalists for this year's Basketball Hall of Fame induction class.

Colangelo came to Phoenix in 1968 to take over the expansion NBA franchise as general manager. Since then, the Suns chairman has served as the team's head coach, president, and now chief executive officer and managing general partner. He's also chairman of the NBA's Board of Governors. He joins Johnny Kerr in the Hall of Fame's "contributor" category.

Following his playing days, Kerr became the Suns' first head coach when the team entered the league in 1968. He was 31-89 in two seasons at the helm in Phoenix, but he's best known for his broadcasting work for the Bulls. He's served as color commentator for Chicago since 1975.

Johnson was a Suns forward for only 21 games in 1972, but he really made his mark in the league years prior as a tenacious rebounder for the Baltimore Bullets. In 10 seasons in the NBA, he averaged 17.1 points and 12 rebounds. Johnson died in 1987.

Other finalists include former NBA stars Clyde Drexler, Chet Walker, Maurice Stokes and Bernard King. Bill Sharman, enshrined as a player in 1976, is now a finalist as a coach.

The new members will be announced April 5 at the NCAA men's Final Four in San Antonio. The induction ceremony is in September.