Bo Ryan is a finalist for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

FILE – In this Nov. 25, 2015, file photo, Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan looks to an official during during his team’s NCAA college basketball game against Prairie View A&M in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 85-67. Ryan has announced his retirement. The school sent out a release after the Badgers’ 64-49 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday night, Dec. 15. Assistant Greg Gard takes over as interim coach. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File) ORG XMIT: NY174

INDIANAPOLIS – Wisconsin college coaching legend Bo Ryan is on the doorstep of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame after being selected as finalist for the Class of 2024 on Friday evening in Indianapolis.

Ryan, 76, headed up the programs at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, UW-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin. He won four Division III championships and four Big Ten regular season titles, three Big Ten Tournament championships and made two Final Fours. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

Ryan was among 14 finalists named Friday. Others included Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Michael Cooper, Walter Davis and coach Charles Smith.

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Milwaukee Bucks legend Marques Johnson was once again left on the outside looking in, as he did not advance to the finalist round for the second straight year. He had previously been a finalist from 2018-22.

Johnson, 68, was the No. 3 pick in the 1977 NBA draft by the Bucks after helping UCLA win a national title and claiming the national player of the year and first team All-American honors.

With Milwaukee from 1977-84, Johnson was an all-rookie team member, three-time all-NBA player and four-time all-star while averaging 21 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He earned his final all-star berth and comeback player of the year honors in Los Angeles with the Clippers in 1985-86. He finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice.

Johnson is also a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Michael Redd, 44, also missed out on being a finalist as a member of the 2008 Olympic team, referred to as the “Redeem Team.” Redd was part of team that served as a reboot for the men’s national team after a disappointing bronze medal finish in the 2004 Olympic Games.

Terry Cummings, 63, also did not make the finalist group. Cummings spent six seasons in two different stints with the Bucks and made two all-NBA and all-star teams while in Milwaukee. He averaged 21.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in 480 career games with the Bucks, shooting 48.4% from the field.

In the contributors category, the “original Buck” Jon McGlocklin did not make the finalist cut either. Beyond his championship play with the Bucks, he served as a color analyst for the team for decades and co-founded the MACC Fund.

The North American Committee named Ryan a finalist. His resume will be reviewed by the Hall of Fame’s Honors Committee.

Ryan was not named a finalist in 2023 despite an impressive resume.

The North American Honors Committee includes 24 voting members and is comprised of Hall of Famers, basketball executives and administrators, members of the media, and other experts in the game of basketball.

A finalist must receive at least 18 votes to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bo Ryan is a finalist for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame