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Knicks Great Bernard King Elected To Hall Of Fame

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Bernard King can finally call himself a Hall of Famer.

The Knicks great will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2013 class in September. The official announcement was made Monday from the NCAA title game site in Atlanta.

"He deserves it," Knicks star Carmelo Anthony said after the news leaked Friday. "It's about time. He deserved it a long time ago."

Anthony has lobbied for his idol in recent years, calling King's election a "no-brainer" in 2012.

It was King's third time as a finalist and sixth overall nomination.

The Brooklyn native averaged 22.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in a career that spanned from 1977-93. It started and ended with the Nets, though his best years — including an NBA scoring title in 1985 — came with the Knicks from 1982-1987.

King was picked seventh overall by the Nets in the 1977 draft. The four-time All-Star also had stints in Utah, Golden State and Washington.

The 56-year-old will be joined in enshrinement by fellow New York City native, Knicks legend Richie Guerin. Other members of the 12-person class of 2013 include Louisville coach Rick Pitino, former Seattle point guard Gary Payton, ABA great Roger Brown and North Carolina women's hoops coach Sylvia Hatchell.

"The Hall of Fame is proud to recognize this distinguished group of coaches, players and contributors to the game of basketball," Hall of Fame president and CEO John Doleva said. "Each person in this group has rightfully earned their spot in the Hall of Fame and we look forward to honoring them in Springfield."

It's about time, right? Give it up for King in the comments!

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