Who just joined basketball’s most exclusive club? The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrined its Class of 2026 on August 15, 2026, at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Who made up the class?
Nine honorees walked the stage. Chamique Holdsclaw, Joey Crawford, Mark Few, Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire, Elena Delle Donne, Candace Parker, Mike D’Antoni and the 1996 United States women’s Olympic basketball team all entered together.
The group was formally announced on April 4, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis.
What does Stoudemire’s induction mean?
Amar’e Stoudemire is the only former NBA player in this class. He was a six-time All-Star and the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year.
How big was Doc Rivers’ coaching career?
Rivers is enshrined as a coach with more than 1,180 career wins across 27 seasons. He won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.
His final totals run even higher: 1,194 wins, sixth-most in NBA history, and 114 playoff wins, fourth-most all-time.
What does Candace Parker’s resume look like?
Parker enters as a three-time WNBA champion, winning titles in 2016, 2021 and 2023. She was also a two-time WNBA MVP.
“Full circle. I came in as a rookie with Lisa Leslie and her greatness… And I got to pass the torch to a GOAT in A’ja Wilson on the way out,” Parker said.
Who else is in the class?
Elena Delle Donne joins as a player. Mike D’Antoni is honored as a contributor, and Mark Few as a college coach.
For at least one honoree in this class, the path traced back to childhood: “The first basketball I got was from my mom as a gift, and that basketball became my best friend, became my therapist.”
What made the 1996 Olympic team Hall of Fame worthy?
The 1996 United States women’s Olympic basketball team won gold in Atlanta. It was inducted collectively, alongside the class’s individual honorees.
That collective enshrinement lands during a moment for the women’s game, one that recently saw its biggest attendance boom in league history and continued growth off the court, part of what analysts call a new media opportunity for women’s basketball.
How rare was Joey Crawford’s career?
Fellow inductee Joey Crawford worked a record 374 playoff games and 50 NBA Finals games, both the most all-time for a referee.
He also worked 2,561 total regular-season games, second-most all-time among officials.
