<Li> Early African - American Pioneers of the Game Committee </Li> <P> Individuals who receive at least seven votes from the North American Screening Committee or five votes from one of the other screening committees in a given year are eligible to advance to an Honors Committee, composed of 12 members who vote on each candidate and rotating groups of 12 specialists (one group for female candidates, one group for international candidates, and one group for American and veterans candidates). However, each screening committee is limited as to the number of candidates it can put forth to the Honors Committee--10 from the North American Committee, and two from each other committee . Any individual receiving at least 18 affirmative votes (75% of all votes cast) from the Honors Committee is approved for induction into the Hall of Fame . As long as the number of candidates receiving sufficient votes from a screening committee is not greater than the number of finalists that committee can put forth, advancement to the Honors Committee is generally pro forma, although the Hall's Board of Trustees may remove any candidate who "has damaged the integrity of the game of basketball" from consideration . </P> <P> To be considered for induction by a screening committee, a player, retired coach, or referee must be fully retired from that role for at least three full seasons . This period had originally been five years, but was first changed to four years in December 2015, and to three seasons in December 2017 . Prior to the induction class of 2018, referees had been eligible for induction upon 25 years of full - time service, even if still active . Changes to the criteria for consideration of active coaches were announced at the same time as the most recent changes to the induction process . Currently, coaches become eligible upon 25 years of full - time service at the high school level or above, or three seasons after retirement . Effective with the class of 2020, active coaches must meet the years of service requirement and be at least 60 years old . No years of service criterion is applied to those who have made a "significant contribution to the game of basketball". Sportswriters and commentators are elected as full - fledged members (in contrast to the Baseball Hall of Fame that places them in separate wings that are not considered in the "real" Hall of Fame). </P> <P> Controversy has arisen over many aspects of the Hall's voting procedures, including voter anonymity . While sportswriter voters of other major sports' Halls of Fame openly debate their choices, the Naismith Hall does not make the process transparent . The Hall has also been criticized in opinion columns for a tendency to enshrine active collegiate coaches and relatively obscure players while omitting some accomplished players and coaches . </P>

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