Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Dwyane Wade enshrined in HOF - ESPN

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol brought a European flavor to the Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement.

Fans waved a German flag and chanted Nowitzki's name when the former Dallas Mavericks star walked the red carpet into Symphony Hall on Saturday night for the ceremony.

Parker's fans whooped it up when he took the stage to lead off the proceedings. «There are a lot of French people in town. Sorry,» the former San Antonio Spurs point guard said.

Spain was well-represented, too, with Gasol shouting out his national team — «mi familia» — before joining what may be the greatest international class of inductees in the Springfield shrine's history.

Nowitzki was the first European-born player to win the NBA MVP award in 2007. Parker was the first European to win the Finals MVP. Gasol was the NBA's first international Rookie of the Year and a key player during title runs for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Gasol acknowledged the Europeans who came to the U.S. before him, but also credited Americans for inspiring him. He fell in love with the sport when the 1992 Olympics were held in his hometown, Barcelona. The United States dominated and won the gold.

«I was 12,» Gasol said. «It changed my life. The Dream Team showed us how basketball could be played.»

The Spurs were well represented, led by longtime coach and five-time NBA champion Gregg Popovich, and Parker, the point guard on four of those title-winning teams. Becky Hammon, who after a career in the WNBA joined the Spurs as the first woman to serve as a full-time NBA assistant coach, was also honored. Gasol played his last two healthy seasons with the Spurs.

«Coach Pop — it starts with him,» Parker said. «Coach Pop, you're unbelievable.»

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