Dru Joyce II can add another title to his already impressive resume — hall of fame coach.
Joyce was announced as one of 21 inductees for the 2024 American Basketball Hall of Fame class that includes former University of Akron and West Virginia coach Bob Huggins and Indiana University coaching legend Bobby Knight along with NBA luminaries including Larry Bird and George Gervin.
He called the honor "surreal" in a conversation late Thursday afternoon, admitting that he was surprised by his inclusion on the list of inductees.
"I think that the philosophy behind the event to recognize people who are outside of the NBAI think is great, and to recognize coaches or people who are in any kind of way involved in the game," he said. "I think it is just a great concept because there's so much more that happens outside of the court and a lot of times all that stuff gets overlooked and we stay with the players and they are I guess, the main attraction. But for the rest of us, it's nice."
Joyce has won seven state titles as coach of the St. Vincent-St. Mary boys basketball team, ensuring the program remains elite during his tenure.
Joyce has been a winner of USA Today Coach of the Year, was named a McDonald's All-American "all-American coach," is a member of the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame and is approaching the 500-career win mark.
Joyce has sent a host of players on to play at the next level with three — LeBron James, Jakarr Sampson and Malaki Branham — going on to the NBA.
Like father like son: Dru Joyce III pays homage to Akron as he's introduced as Duquesne's new basketball coach
Several of the other inductees have significant ties to Northeast Ohio as well.
Brad Sellers played for Ohio State, Kevin Mackey coached at Cleveland State University and Campy Russell played and still works for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Established in 2019 with a goal of building a permanent home in Detroit, Mich., the American Basketball Hall of Fame seeks to "honor and tell the full history of the game of basketball."
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: St. Vincent-St. Mary basketball coach Dru Joyce II receives honor
