Hall of Fame finalists: WNBA icons and ‘Lob City’ stars edge closer to glory
Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne have headlined the list of finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026, alongside NBA standouts Blake Griffin and Doc Rivers.
The prestigious announcement was made on Wednesday, confirming the potential induction of some of the sport’s most transformative figures.
WNBA royalty leads the way
Parker stands out as the sole player in WNBA history to capture championships with three different franchises, having lifted trophies with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Las Vegas Aces.
Widely regarded as one of the first true positionless talents, the former Tennessee Volunteer enjoyed a phenomenal career that included two NCAA titles and two Olympic gold medals.
She remains the only player in league history to claim both Rookie of the Year and MVP honours in the same 2008 campaign.
Joining her is fellow two-time league MVP Delle Donne, who carved out a legacy as one of the greatest pure shooters the game has ever witnessed.
The Washington Mystics icon made history as the first WNBA player to join the elite 50-40-90 club for shooting percentages.
She cemented her status by guiding Washington to their maiden championship triumph in 2019.
‘Lob City’ reunion on the cards
The announcement also sparked nostalgia for the Los Angeles Clippers’ ‘Lob City’ era, with two of its central figures named as finalists.
Blake Griffin, whose electric athleticism revitalised the franchise, has been recognised for a career that evolved from high-flying dunks to complete all-around play.
The six-time All-Star finished his 14-season tenure with over 14,000 points and is fondly remembered for his iconic car-jumping victory in the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest.
Doc Rivers, the strategist who orchestrated that Clippers era, also moves a step closer to Springfield.
Currently leading the Milwaukee Bucks, the veteran coach sits eighth on the all-time wins list with 1,114 victories and counting.
His coaching résumé is highlighted by steering the Boston Celtics to NBA glory in 2008.
Suns legends and coaching greats
Amar’e Stoudemire returns as a finalist, having established himself as a dominant force during his time with the Phoenix Suns.
The 2003 Rookie of the Year formed a devastating pick-and-roll partnership with Steve Nash, earning six All-Star selections along the way.
The powerful forward averaged 18.9 points over a 14-year career that also included stints in New York, Dallas, and Miami.
Beyond the players, the contributor category sees the inclusion of legendary referee Joey Crawford and offensive innovator Mike D’Antoni.
Collegiate coaching excellence is also represented, with Gonzaga’s Mark Few and Houston’s Kelvin Sampson making the list.
The historic 1996 gold-medal winning US Women’s National Team will also be considered for collective induction.