Jason Kidd, Steve Nash highlight Hall of Fame candidates in Class of 2018

Jason Kidd (left)  and Steve Nash highlight Hall of Fame candidates.

Jason Kidd and Steve Nash are among six former NBA players who are eligible in their first year. Kidd and Nash are ranked second and third respectively in career assists behind John Stockton.

Kidd was a 10-time All-Star, who won an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.

Nash, who was an eight-time All-Star, won back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards in 2005 and 2006 while playing for the Phoenix Suns.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame formally announced changes to its enshrinement process, the most significant of which will allow players, referees and coaches to be eligible after just three seasons of retirement.

Other notable first timers announced by the Hall of Fame are:

Ray Allen, a 10-time All-Star who won titles with in 2008 with the Boston Celtics and 2013 with the Miami Heat, is the all-time leader in made three-pointers.

Chauncey Billups, a seven-time All-Star who won an NBA title with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.

Grant Hill, a seven-time All-Star and co-rookie of the year in 1995 (with Kidd), who played 18 seasons in the NBA. While at Duke, he won two national titles and was twice named an All-American.

Richard Hamilton, who played alongside Billups on the Pistons championship team, was selected to three All-Star teams. –www.nba.com