Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne headline Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Jan 22, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Members of the Amazon Prime NBA broadcast team Kevin Harlan, Candace Parker and Dwyane Wade at Intuit Dome for the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 features an impressive lineup of basketball legends, with WNBA superstars Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne leading the way as the headliners of this year’s inductees, according to sources.
Parker’s basketball legacy is unmatched in WNBA history. She stands as the only player to capture championships with three different franchises – the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Las Vegas Aces. Her remarkable 2008 rookie season saw her become the only player in league history to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same campaign.
Historic achievements across multiple levels
Parker’s dominance extends far beyond her professional career. Her basketball journey includes winning the dunk contest at the McDonald’s All American Game during high school, securing two national championships at Tennessee, earning two Olympic Gold medals, and claiming two WNBA MVP awards throughout her illustrious career.
Delle Donne brings her own set of historic accomplishments to the Hall of Fame class. The two-time league MVP (2015 and 2019) made history by becoming the first player to achieve the rare 50-40-90 shooting milestone – finishing a season with 50% field goal shooting, 40% from 3-points, and 90% from the free throw line. She capped off her career achievements by leading the Washington Mystics to their first WNBA championship in 2019.
The Class of 2026 also includes current Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, whose coaching resume boasts 1,191 wins and counting, placing him eighth on the all-time coaching wins list. Rivers guided the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008 and was instrumental during the Lob City era with the LA Clippers.
Former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire rounds out the notable inductees. The 2003 Rookie of the Year made his mark by entering the league straight from high school and earned six All-Star selections during his 14-year career. Stoudemire spent his first eight seasons with the Phoenix Suns, where he formed a dynamic pick-and-roll partnership with point guard Steve Nash, before playing for New York, Dallas, and Miami.
The formal enshrinement ceremonies are scheduled for August in Springfield, Massachusetts, where these basketball legends will officially take their place among the sport’s greatest contributors.
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