Springfield ready for Hall of Fame enshrinement

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The red carpet was all rolled out Friday night in Springfield and it took a lot of preparation for the big event.

The Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement is a grand event once again all for the greatest players in the game of basketball, all in Springfield.

Paul Lambert, Vice President of Guest Services at The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame said,“The game of basketball, the fastest growing sport in the world, the most popular game in the world of young people and this city of Springfield is this unique, historic connection, we take that role and responsibility very seriously.”

Every hotel room in the city is booked. “Everything's full, the city's abuzz and alive and we're really excited about how things are going,” said Lambert.

The Hall of Fame was filled with visitors. There was an auction with memorabilia worth millions. Also part of the day is a special VIP dinner that's being held at Center Court of the Basketball Hall of Fame and that's before the Enshrinement ceremony.

The ceremony featured an eclectic group of basketball greats. Michael Russeck of New York said, “It's kind of an open feel, everyone's happy to talk to you and stop and go over the history of basketball, it's great.”

Those who are being inducted themselves were even in awe. “I'm looking so forward to tonight, meeting the people, meeting the former inductees who I would never would have gotten an opportunity to meet in my entire life, it's just going to be fabulous for me tonight,” said Michelle Pollard, a former All American Red Head.

There were more than 65 returning hall of famers who walked the red carpet for the historic night.