The Chicago Bulls welcomed a new class of royalty during Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards.
The team inducted six members to the Ring of Honor — Johnny Bach, Bill Cartwright, Neil Funk, Horace Grant, John Paxson and Norm Van Lier.
All six inductees were presented at halftime of Saturday’s game at the United Center in a short ceremony that included video tributes reflecting on their time with the Bulls. Bach and Van Lier were represented posthumously by members of their family. The 2025 class received more extensive honors in a private gala held Thursday at the Museum of Contemporary Art, with panels given by Bob Costas, K.C. Johnson, Sam Smith and other prominent presenters.
“Obviously the class and all the people that have contributed to the organization and it’s success here — it’s remarkable,” coach Billy Donovan said before the game. “It’s great to see all those guys get rewarded and acknowledged and recognized for their own individual accomplishments and the team accomplishments that they’ve been a part of.”
This was the second class of the Bulls Ring of Honor after Artis Gilmore, Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Johnny “Red” Kerr, Dick Klein, Jerry Krause, Toni Kukoč, Bob Love, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Jerry Sloan, Chet Walker, Tex Winter and the 1995-96 team were inducted in the inaugural class in 2024. The team plans to induct new members every two years.