Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh elected to Hall of Fame in 2021 class

After the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Class finally was inducted into Springfield, the Hall wasted no time deciding on the 2021 inductees. Up for election in this cycle was Toronto Raptors legend Chris Bosh, who became eligible after his abrupt retirement with the Miami Heat. 

Selected fourth overall by the Raptors in the competitive 2003 draft, Bosh averaged 20.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, making five of the 11 All-Star games he would be elected to over the course of his career.

Bosh might not be loved by everyone in considering how he left, but real fans know that he is one of the greatest players to ever lace them up north of the border. It seems like Springfield agrees, as Bosh is slated for the highest honor the Hall of Fame can bestow upon a player for their on-court performance.

Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed that Bosh was indeed selected for induction in the 2021 Hall of Fame class. Joining him are legends like Paul Pierce, Chris Webber, Ben Wallace, and Toni Kukoc. Bill Russell was inducted again for his achievements as a coach, while Yolanda Griffith, Jay Wright, and Rick Adelman also made it.

Chris Bosh is the first Toronto Raptors star to be elected to the Hall of Fame.

While the likes of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan helped rewrite the record books, Bosh’s name is still all over this franchise. Bosh is still the franchise’s leading rebounder, while coming in third in points scoring and second in points per game behind Vince Carter.

Those numbers are even more impressive than they look at face value. Bosh played his early years under the likes of Kevin O’Neill and Sam Mitchell, the former of whom was just bad and the latter of whom liked to slow the pace a bit. Despite the chaos around him, Bosh was as consistent as they come.

Bosh played his prime years in Toronto without Carter, often deferring to some subpar perimeter scorers and centers that did little to take the pressure off. Rivals knew how the Toronto Raptors were going to attack, and they still couldn’t stop Bosh, who assuredly helped influence the revolution of stretch big men with quality face-up games.

Other Hall of Fame players might’ve worn a Raptors jersey (looking at you, Hakeem Olajuwon), but Bosh will be the first player to play a majority of his career in Toronto to make it to the Hall. He made plenty of memories in Miami, but he got his start in Toronto, and the Raptors will be forever grateful for the seven years he gave them.