The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has revealed its Class of 2026, and it features some major names. On Tuesday, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that the headliners include NBA coach Doc Rivers, WNBA legends Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne, and former Phoenix Suns star Amar’e Stoudemire. Gonzaga head coach Mark Few is also part of the class.
The WNBA Legends
Candace Parker made history as the only player in WNBA history to win championships with three different franchises: the Los Angeles Sparks (2016), Chicago Sky (2021), and Las Vegas Aces (2023). She is also the only player to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season (2008). A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Parker won two NCAA titles at the University of Tennessee.
Elena Delle Donne is a two-time WNBA MVP (2015 and 2019) and led the Washington Mystics to a championship in 2019. She became the first player in WNBA history to post a 50-40-90 season — shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line in 2019.
The Coach
Doc Rivers, currently the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, ranks among the top 10 winningest coaches in NBA history with 1,191 regular-season victories. He guided the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship and was the architect behind the high-flying “Lob City” era with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Gonzaga’s Mark Few has been one of college basketball’s most consistent winners. In nearly 30 years at the helm, he has led the Bulldogs to two NCAA Championship Game appearances, made the NCAA Tournament every season since 1999, and captured 23 West Coast Conference regular-season titles along with 21 conference tournament titles.
The Finalists & Announcement
The Class of 2026 was selected from a list of 21 finalists that included players, coaches, contributors, and referees. Notable names on the finalist list were Blake Griffin, Kevin Johnson, Buck Williams, and Mike D’Antoni, among others.
The full Class of 2026 will be officially revealed on Saturday, April 4, 2026, during a live broadcast on ESPN2 at 12 p.m. ET. The induction ceremony is scheduled for August 14–15, 2026, in Springfield, Massachusetts.
By- Vidushi Mishra
