2026 Hall of Fame Class Unveiled
naismith-hall-of-fame-class-2026-announced
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame introduced its Class of 2026 on Saturday ahead of the NCAA men’s Final Four in Indianapolis.
Men’s Inductees
Doc Rivers, head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, and former Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni headline the coaching category already revealed earlier this year.
Joining them is Mark Few, who has guided Gonzaga to at least 20 wins in every season since taking over in 1999. A two-time Naismith Coach of the Year, Few owns the highest winning percentage among active coaches and served as an assistant for the United States’ gold-medal men’s team at the 2024 Olympics.
Long-time NBA referee Joey Crawford completes the men’s slate. Crawford worked 39 seasons from 1977–2016, officiating every NBA Finals from 1986–2015 and compiling 2,561 regular-season and 374 playoff games.
Women’s Inductees
Previously announced honorees Elena Delle Donne and Candace Parker are joined by former Washington Mystics star Chamique Holdsclaw. Holdsclaw was the WNBA’s top draft pick and Rookie of the Year in 1999, a six-time All-Star, the league’s scoring leader in 2002, a two-time rebounding champion, and a three-time All-WNBA selection. Her résumé also includes three NCAA titles with Tennessee, two Naismith College Player of the Year awards, and a 2000 Olympic gold medal.
Players Inducted Earlier
Former Suns forward Amar’e Stoudemire was already confirmed for the men’s players category, while women’s legends Delle Donne and Parker had been announced on the women’s side.
Team Recognition
The 1996 United States Women’s National Team enters the Hall as a unit. Coached by Tara VanDerveer, the squad—which featured Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Dawn Staley, Teresa Edwards, Rebecca Lobo, and Katrina McClain—posted an 8-0 record and won by more than 30 points per game. The Hall credited that dominant run with helping pave the way for the launch of the WNBA later the same year.
Formal enshrinement ceremonies for the Class of 2026 are scheduled for September in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Source: Hoops Rumors
