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Candace Parker, Doc Rivers Join Basketball Hall of Fame

8/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Basketball Hall of Fame inducted its 2026 class on Saturday in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Candace Parker entered the Hall and delivered an emotional speech.
Parker uniquely won Rookie of the Year and MVP in 2008 and three different WNBA championships.
Doc Rivers was honored for a 1,194-866 record, a 2008 NBA title and the 2024 NBA Cup with the Bucks.

History

Historical Context

Founded by the NBA in 1996, the WNBA launched its inaugural 1997 season with eight teams and the Houston Comets winning the first championship. Full NBA ownership ended in 2002, after which independent groups expanded the league to 15 teams. Today, honors for former stars echo those early trailblazing achievements.

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Story summary

The Basketball Hall of Fame inducted its 2026 class on Saturday in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Candace Parker entered the Hall and delivered an emotional speech.
Parker uniquely won Rookie of the Year and MVP in 2008 and three different WNBA championships.
Doc Rivers was honored for a 1,194-866 record, a 2008 NBA title and the 2024 NBA Cup with the Bucks.

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