The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 brought together NBA and WNBA legends, iconic coaches, a legendary referee, an influential basketball innovator and a historic U.S. women’s national team. From Candace Parker and Amar’e Stoudemire to Doc Rivers, Elena Delle Donne and the 1996 USA Basketball women’s team, the ceremony celebrated careers that helped shape basketball across generations.
Key Highlights
- Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni represented the NBA among the Class of 2026.
- Candace Parker, Chamique Holdsclaw and Elena Delle Donne added three WNBA legends to the Hall of Fame.
- The 1996 USA women’s national team was honored for its Olympic gold medal and lasting influence on women’s basketball.
- Emotional tributes and memorable stories highlighted the Hall of Fame weekend, from Don Nelson’s legacy to Joey Crawford’s infamous Tim Duncan encounter.
Basketball Legends Take Their Place in the Hall
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 officially added another group of basketball greats to the sport’s history books.
Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire, Joey Crawford and Mike D’Antoni represented the NBA, while Candace Parker, Chamique Holdsclaw and Elena Delle Donne joined the WNBA’s growing list of Hall of Famers. Gonzaga coach Mark Few was also inducted after building the Bulldogs into one of college basketball’s most consistent programs.
The 1996 USA Basketball women’s national team entered as a group, earning recognition not only for its Olympic gold medal in Atlanta but also for the team’s broader impact on women’s sports.
1996 USA Women’s Team Celebrated by Today’s Stars
The 1996 Olympic team remains one of the most influential groups in women’s basketball history. Led by stars including Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Teresa Edwards, the team helped establish a foundation for the growth of the modern women’s game.
For Parker and Holdsclaw, the team’s influence was deeply personal. Parker recalled watching the squad dominate at the Olympics as a 10-year-old, while Holdsclaw remembered having posters of the players on her wall. Their stories highlighted how the 1996 USA women’s basketball team inspired a generation that would eventually lead the WNBA into a new era.
Doc Rivers Remembers Don Nelson
The Hall of Fame weekend also carried an emotional tone following the death of legendary coach Don Nelson at age 86. Hall chairman Jerry Colangelo paid tribute to Nelson during the ceremony, reflecting on a friendship and basketball relationship that stretched back nearly seven decades.
Rivers also shared a personal story involving Nelson, recalling how he practiced with the Milwaukee Bucks during his freshman and sophomore years at Marquette. Going up against NBA stars such as Sidney Moncrief, Marques Johnson and Junior Bridgeman gave the future Hall of Fame coach an early taste of professional basketball.
Mark Few’s Hall of Fame Journey Almost Never Happened
Few’s rise from a small-town coaching hopeful to one of college basketball’s most successful coaches made his induction even more remarkable. The Gonzaga coach has guided the Bulldogs to 26 NCAA Tournament appearances, two NCAA championship game appearances and a remarkable 773-156 record.
Yet Few joked about one of the biggest setbacks of his early career. After applying for the head coaching job at Creswell High School in Oregon, the school where he had attended and served as an unpaid assistant, he expected to have a strong chance. Instead, he was rejected. Years later, that disappointment became part of one of college basketball’s most impressive coaching journeys.
Amar’e Stoudemire Finishes His Career With a Championship
Amar’e Stoudemire entered the Hall of Fame after an outstanding NBA career, but his final basketball chapters came overseas. At 33, Stoudemire joined Hapoel Jerusalem in 2016 and helped the club win the Israeli League Cup. Later, he played for Maccabi Tel Aviv, finishing his playing career with another championship and a Finals MVP award.
His final years in basketball also became an important part of his personal journey, with Stoudemire describing the experience through the lens of faith and saying that his journey took him down paths he could not have anticipated.
Candace Parker’s Hall of Fame Moment
Candace Parker had one of the most star-studded groups of presenters during the ceremony, including Cheryl Miller, Allen Iverson, Tamika Catchings and Dwyane Wade. Parker described Wade as being like a brother and reflected on how he had supported her throughout her career. Their relationship extended beyond basketball, with Wade continuing to celebrate Parker during their post-playing careers at TNT and Amazon.
Parker also brought a WNBA basketball to the podium, describing it as her “muse.” With 10 knee surgeries throughout her career, she even found a moment to thank her knees for helping her reach one of basketball’s highest honors.
Mike D’Antoni’s European Legacy Deserves More Attention
While Mike D’Antoni entered the Hall of Fame as a contributor for his influence on basketball, particularly through the fast-paced “Seven Seconds or Less” system in Phoenix, his playing career also deserves recognition.
D’Antoni spent only four seasons in the NBA and ABA, averaging 3.4 points and 2.0 assists per game. His career changed dramatically after moving to Italy, where he spent 17 seasons with Olimpia Milano as both a player and coach.
D’Antoni credited confidence as the biggest difference. After struggling to establish himself in the NBA, he found an opportunity and a coach in Italy who believed in him. That experience helped him rediscover his confidence and eventually develop into one of basketball’s most influential offensive coaches.
Elena Delle Donne Adds Humor to Her Big Night
Two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne brought her personality to the Hall of Fame stage. With comedian Larry David sitting in the audience, Delle Donne borrowed one of his famous catchphrases before beginning her speech, joking that she hoped the night would go “pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good.” It was a lighthearted moment during an emotional weekend celebrating one of the greatest careers in women’s basketball.
Joey Crawford’s Tim Duncan Story Steals the Spotlight
Veteran referee Joey Crawford also had one of the weekend’s most entertaining stories. Crawford famously ejected Tim Duncan during a 2007 game after taking issue with Duncan laughing from the bench. The incident became one of the most memorable referee-player confrontations in NBA history and ultimately led to Crawford’s suspension and counseling.
Years later, Crawford discovered that the incident had become so iconic that even people far removed from basketball still knew about it. While in Budapest for a FIBA officiating clinic, Crawford joked that someone would eventually approach him to ask about Duncan. Sure enough, a fan did.
Even more unexpectedly, Crawford recalled helping an elderly woman cross a street in New York. After learning that he was involved with the NBA, she also asked the same question: What did Duncan do?
A Hall of Fame Class Built on Legacy
The Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was about much more than individual statistics and championships. The weekend celebrated the people and teams who helped shape basketball across different eras, countries and generations.
From the historic influence of the 1996 USA women’s national team to Parker’s impact on the WNBA, D’Antoni’s international journey and Rivers’ connection to Don Nelson, the Class of 2026 showed how basketball careers can extend far beyond the court.
These legends are now officially part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, but their influence on the game is likely to continue inspiring the next generation of players, coaches and fans.
