2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Class Highlights Future Inductees

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will enshrine its 2026 class on Saturday night in Springfield, Massachusetts. The nine honorees include NBA player Amar’e Stoudemire, coaches Doc Rivers and Mike D’Antoni, longtime official Joey Crawford, Gonzaga coach Mark Few, and three members of the 1996 U.S. women’s Olympic team—Dawn Staley, Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne—along with former WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw. The 1996 team itself will be honored as a unit.

Sports IllustratedA trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

The 1996 Olympic squad, led by Hall of Famers Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes and Rebecca Lobo, secured gold and set the stage for the WNBA’s launch later that year. Their induction underscores the lasting impact of that generation on women’s basketball.

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Amar’e Stoudemire – 2003 Rookie of the Year, six-time NBA All-Star; last played in 2015-16.

Sports Illustrated

• Doc Rivers – NBA coach, 1,194 regular-season wins, 2008 Celtics champion.

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Mike D’Antoni – NBA coach known for innovative offense.

Sports Illustrated

• Joey Crawford – NBA official with over 2,500 regular-season games.

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Mark Few – Gonzaga coach with more than 770 wins.

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Dawn Staley – 1996 Olympic point guard, now a celebrated coach.

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Candace Parker – WNBA MVP-Rookie double, three-time champion.

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Elena Delle Donne – Two-time WNBA MVP, led Mystics to a title.

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Chamique Holdsclaw – Three-time NCAA champion, 11-year WNBA career.

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

Five retired NBA players are highlighted as likely future inductees:

Bleacher Report

• Blake Griffin – 2009 first-overall pick, six-time All-Star, 2011 Rookie of the Year; Hall-eligible this year but not selected for 2026.

Sports Illustrated

• Andre Iguodala – Four-time NBA champion, 2015 Finals MVP, Olympic gold medalist; retired in 2023 and omitted from the first-time nominee list.

Sports Illustrated

• Derrick Rose – 2011 NBA MVP, three-time All-Star; eligible in 2027.

Sports Illustrated

• Chris Paul – 12-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA first team, two Olympic gold medals; eligible in 2029.

Sports Illustrated

• Russell Westbrook – 2017 NBA MVP, nine-time All-Star, all-time triple-double leader; eligible in 2029.

Sports Illustrated

• Griffin: 19.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.0 APG.

Sports Illustrated

• Iguodala: 11.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.2 APG.

Sports Illustrated

• Rose: 17.4 PPG, 5.2 APG, 3.2 RPG.

Sports Illustrated

• Paul: 16.8 PPG, 9.2 APG, 4.4 RPG.

Sports Illustrated

• Westbrook: 20.9 PPG, 8.0 APG, 6.9 RPG; holds the NBA’s all-time triple-double record.

Sports Illustrated

The 2026 class bridges past and future, honoring pioneers of women’s professional basketball while recognizing contributions across playing, coaching, and officiating. Highlighting near-future candidates shows how the Hall balances championships, individual accolades, longevity and cultural impact.

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Dawn Staley: “It’s taken a long time for that particular team that set the stage for everything that’s happened since.”

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Candace Parker: “The ’96 team inspired an entire generation of women.”

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

• Holdsclaw: “She would be so proud of us.”

A trailblazing women’s class enters the Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame will hold its induction ceremony this weekend. Eligibility windows for Griffin, Iguodala, Rose, Paul and Westbrook open in the coming years, positioning them for potential future enshrinement.

Sports Illustrated