If you’ve attended a college or NBA basketball game over the course of the past three decades, chances are you have seen Red Panda perform.
And considering the acrobat’s contributions to the basketball community, Pablo Torre is now doing his part to try to get Red Panda — whose real name is Rong “Krystal” Niu — into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Meadowlark Media host made the revelation to Niu while interviewing her during the latest episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out. In doing so, Torre presented the former America’s Got Talent contestant with a video featuring the likes of David Aldridge, Jay Bilas, Marc Spears, Jackie MacMullan and Mike Breen making their own cases for Red Panda to be enshrined in Springfield.
Let’s get Red Panda into the Hall of Fame!
We asked Hall of Famers @davidaldridgedc, @JayBilas, @MarcJSpears, Jackie MacMullan & Mike Breen to endorse the world’s greatest halftime acrobat — and her reaction is priceless. 🐼🥣
SIGN THE PETITION: https://t.co/1HYZPFel7D pic.twitter.com/QUSCS44aDW
— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) April 4, 2024
Torre didn’t stop his efforts there, putting together a petition on Change.org calling for Niu to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a contributor. As of early Thursday afternoon, the petition has 533 signatures.
“Nominations are due soon,” the petition reads. “We must make the case to a committee at the Hall of Fame, in order to secure a 75% vote and enshrine a true legend of hoops culture into the history books. Sign this petition, leave your testimonial and spread the good word. BOWLS!”
Torre’s late start might have cost Red Panda a chance at induction this year, but perhaps his fight will pay off down the road. If nothing else, we know he likely has a supporter in Fox Sports’ John Fanta, who has his own personal history with everybody’s favorite halftime show.
