The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists have been officially unveiled, and the list is both powerful and historic. Announced in Springfield, Massachusetts, the 21 finalists for the Class of 2026 span the North American, Women’s, Veterans, International and Contributor committees, highlighting the full global reach of the sport.
Among the headline names in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists are Blake Griffin, Doc Rivers, Candace Parker and the iconic 1996 United States Women’s National Team. The finalists will now move to the Honors Committee for final consideration, with the official Class of 2026 to be announced live on ESPN2 on April 4 during Final Four Weekend.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 Finalists: Star Power Across Eras
The North American Committee portion of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists features an impressive blend of players, coaches and officials. Blake Griffin headlines the player category after a career defined by athleticism and six NBA All-Star appearances. The former No. 1 overall pick and 2011 Rookie of the Year helped transform the Los Angeles Clippers into consistent contenders and earned five All-NBA selections.
Doc Rivers joins the list after amassing more than 1,175 coaching victories across 27 NBA seasons. Rivers captured an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and ranks among the league’s all-time leaders in coaching wins and playoff victories. His longevity and championship pedigree strengthen his case among the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists.
Amar’e Stoudemire, Kevin Johnson and Buck Williams add further depth to the North American class, while longtime referee Joey Crawford, who officiated 50 NBA Finals games, represents the officiating legacy within the finalists group.
On the coaching side, Mark Few and Kelvin Sampson stand out for sustained collegiate excellence. Few has guided Gonzaga to more than two decades of tournament consistency, while Sampson recently surpassed 800 career wins and led Houston to multiple Final Four appearances.
Women’s Committee Finalists Elevate Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 Finalists
The Women’s Committee finalists form one of the strongest segments of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists. Candace Parker, a three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP, anchors the list. Parker remains the only player in WNBA history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.
Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw and Jennifer Azzi join Parker among the Women’s Committee selections, reflecting decades of elite performance across collegiate, professional and international basketball.
The 1996 United States Women’s National Team also stands among the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists, recognized for its undefeated Olympic run in Atlanta. That gold-medal team, coached by Tara VanDerveer, played a critical role in elevating the global profile of women’s basketball and directly influenced the launch of the WNBA.
International and Contributors Strengthen Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 Finalists
The International Committee finalist Dušan Ivković represents European basketball’s lasting impact on the global game. Ivković’s coaching résumé spans decades, including EuroLeague championships and international titles with Yugoslavia.
The Contributor category within the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists includes Mike D’Antoni, whose offensive philosophy reshaped modern basketball through pace and spacing, and Tal Brody, whose influence helped grow the sport internationally.
Veterans Committee finalist Marques Johnson adds further historical weight, credited with pioneering the “point forward” role during his NBA career.
What Comes Next
The 21 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists now advance to the Honors Committee stage. The official Class of 2026 will be announced April 4, with Enshrinement Weekend scheduled for August 14-15 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Colangelo emphasized the scope of the class, stating that the finalists represent basketball’s influence across professional, collegiate, high school and international play. The diversity of achievements within the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists reflects not only championships and awards, but long-term impact on how the sport is played and taught.
With names like Blake Griffin, Doc Rivers and Candace Parker at the forefront, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 finalists present one of the most compelling and wide-ranging ballots in recent memory. The final vote will determine which of these influential figures officially join basketball immortality later this year.
