A Data-Driven Case Supporting His Hall of Fame Induction
NBA legend Marques Johnson made a special appearance at Crenshaw High School’s second annual Fall Festival, where he personally thanked the Crenshaw High School STEMM Magnet Sports Analytics Club for their dedicated research on his Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame candidacy.
The five-time NBA All-Star and former NCAA champion, who was a Hall of Fame Finalist in 2019 and 2021, attended the event to recognize the students’ hard work and share how much their efforts meant to him.
During the festival, Student Body President and Sports Analytics Club member Rickia Latchman presented the club’s research to Board District 1 community members, highlighting the statistical analysis and comparisons they conducted to evaluate Johnson’s Hall of Fame credentials. Their project analyzed Johnson’s career achievements alongside six Hall of Fame inductees, providing students with valuable hands-on experience in math, data analysis, critical thinking, and collaborative research.
Johnson’s presence made the event even more meaningful, as he engaged with students, shared stories from his career, and expressed his gratitude for their efforts in advocating for his Hall of Fame induction. His visit underscored the impact of sports analytics in preserving basketball history and inspiring the next generation of analysts, researchers, and sports professionals.
