Candace Parker headlines 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class
Three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker and the pioneering 1996 US Olympic women’s team will enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year to immortalise their historic careers.
The decorated forward will be enshrined in the upcoming class alongside fellow WNBA legend Elena Delle Donne and college basketball great Chamique Holdsclaw.
Several prominent NBA figures will also be inducted, including former Phoenix Suns star Amar’e Stoudemire and veteran head coaches Mike D’Antoni and Doc Rivers.
Legendary referee Joey Crawford and Gonzaga university coach Mark Few complete the illustrious group of honourees.
‘A truly special club’
Parker described her inclusion alongside former rivals and childhood heroes as a deeply meaningful career milestone.
“It means so much, just to be in a club of people that I’ve always admired and looked up to and have paved the way. I think it’s super special,” Parker said.
The former Los Angeles Sparks standout is uniquely positioned in basketball history as the only player to win WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year honours in the same season.
She also claimed two NCAA championships at Tennessee under iconic coach Pat Summitt, adding two Olympic gold medals to her extensive trophy cabinet.
Honouring the pioneers of the women’s game
The induction of the undefeated 1996 Olympic squad formally recognises their crucial role in launching professional women’s basketball in the United States.
Their gold-medal triumph and preceding national tour generated the public momentum required to establish both the WNBA and the defunct ABL.
Legendary coach Tara VanDerveer commended the historic squad for laying the foundation of the modern women’s basketball landscape.
“The ’96 Olympic team was a really incredible group of women that were on a mission and accomplished the mission,” VanDerveer said.
Holdsclaw, who idolised many members of that Olympic roster, mirrored Parker’s collegiate success by winning three consecutive titles at Tennessee.
Delle Donne’s historic efficiency recognised
Two-time league MVP Delle Donne enters the Hall of Fame following a career defined by unprecedented shooting accuracy.
The former Washington Mystics champion remains the only WNBA player to achieve the coveted 50-40-90 shooting percentage milestone in a single season.
Meanwhile, Stoudemire leads the NBA player selections following a dominant career highlighted by his explosive partnership with D’Antoni in Phoenix.
