Indiana Hoosiers Legend Bob Knight honored with bench dedication at Naismith Hall of Fame

Legendary Indiana Hoosiers head coach Bob Knight, a three-time NCAA basketball champion, was honored with a bench dedication over the weekend at the 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend.

Knight, who led IU to three national championships and retired as the NCAA's all-time wins leader, received his own bench as part of the Naismith Coaching Circle.

The Naismith Coaches Circle Program honors the first coach, Dr. James Naismith, and pays tribute to the core values he taught – Teamwork, Cooperation, Leadership, Perseverance, and Integrity. These principles are the foundation by which young men and women play the game and conduct their lives – on and off the court.

With the Coaches Circle Program, the Basketball Hall of Fame honors his vision by providing a pathway for today’s coaches to leave a legacy to those who inspired them. They share stories of their meaningful relationships and how their lives have been impacted by these inspirations.

Former coaches honored with commemorative benches as part of the Naismith Coaching Circle include John Wooden, Dean Smith, Pat Summitt, Jim Valvano, John Calipari, Jim Calhoun, Jim Boeheim, Tom Izzo, Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams and more. The benches can be viewed in the courtyard outside of the Naismith Hall of Fame. 

Knight, a 1991 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee, passed away on Nov. 1, 2023 at 83 years old. The Indiana men's basketball team wore "RMK" jersey patches during the 2023-24 season to honor the former Hoosiers head coach.

Indiana is scheduled to play an exhibition game on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall against Marian University, which is coached by Knight's son, Pat.