Blake Griffin and Amar’e Stoudemire to the Hall of Fame in 2026?

The list of finalists for the 2026 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has been unveiled, revealing a class led by legends of men’s and women’s basketball. Blake Griffin and Amar’e Stoudemire lead the men’s nominations, while Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne represent the elite of women’s basketball.

Exceptional NBA Careers Honored

Blake Griffin, iconic figure of the « Lob City » era of the Los Angeles Clippers, marked his 14 NBA seasons with his spectacular athleticism. Six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA Team selection, he finished his career with over 14,000 points and 3,000 assists. His electrifying style, highlighted by his 2011 dunk contest victory where he jumped over a car, transformed the Clippers franchise.

Amar’e Stoudemire, 2003 Rookie of the Year, shined during 14 seasons with averages of 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Cornerstone of the « Seven Seconds or Less » Phoenix Suns, he formed a formidable duo with Steve Nash and played under Mike D’Antoni, also a finalist this year. Six-time All-Star and 2006-2007 first-team All-NBA selection, Stoudemire remains one of the most spectacular dunkers of his generation.

Excellence in Women’s Basketball Represented

Candace Parker embodies the versatility of modern basketball. The only player in WNBA history to win MVP and Rookie of the Year trophies in the same season (2008), she won three WNBA titles with three different franchises: Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. Her two NCAA titles with Tennessee and two Olympic gold medals complete an exceptional record.

Elena Delle Donne, two-time WNBA MVP (2015, 2019), became the first player in history to join the exclusive 50-40-90 club (50% field goals, 40% three-pointers, 90% free throws for a complete season). Her career average of 19.5 points per game ranks her fifth in WNBA history.

Notable Finalists for the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame 🙌

🔸Elena Delle Donne
🔸Amar’e Stoudemire
🔸Blake Griffin
🔸Doc Rivers
🔸Candace Parker pic.twitter.com/Q9DRPxOY05

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) February 12, 2026

Doc Rivers, currently coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, completes this prestigious list with his 1,183 regular season victories placing him sixth all-time. 2008 NBA champion with Boston, he ranks among the 15 greatest coaches in history according to the NBA.

The American women’s team from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, nicknamed the « Women’s Dream Team, » is also a finalist. This legendary squad, credited with contributing to the launch of the WNBA, dominated opponents by an average of 28.6 points.

Official members of the 2026 class will be announced on April 4 during the NCAA Final Four, before the induction ceremony scheduled for August 14-16 in Springfield, Massachusetts.