Parker, Griffin, and Rivers Lead 2026 Naismith Hall of Fame Finalist List

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its 2026 finalists on Wednesday, featuring multi-time champions and legendary coaches.

Wednesday’s announcement from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame confirmed Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Amare Stoudemire, and Doc Rivers as official finalists for the Class of 2026. Parker enters the selection pool as a three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP, having secured titles with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Las Vegas Aces. Delle Donne joins her on the ballot, carrying the distinction of being the first WNBA player to join the 50-40-90 shooting club while earning two MVP trophies during her tenure with the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics.

Blake Griffin headlines the North American committee’s player list following a career that included six All-Star selections and the 2011 Rookie of the Year award. His statistical peak featured five consecutive All-NBA nods between 2012 and 2015, a period where he averaged over 20 points and 7 rebounds per game. Amare Stoudemire, another prominent frontcourt finalist, brings a resume highlighted by five All-NBA Team honors and a 2003 Rookie of the Year win. Stoudemire’s career spanned 14 seasons, during which he amassed 15,994 total points and 6,632 rebounds across stints with Phoenix, New York, Dallas, and Miami.

Doc Rivers represents the coaching category after accumulating 1,114 regular-season victories, ranking him among the top ten winningest coaches in NBA history. Rivers famously guided the 2008 Boston Celtics to their 17th championship and has maintained a career winning percentage of .588 over 25 seasons on the sidelines. The 2026 finalist group also includes veteran contributors who have shaped the game through various administrative and developmental roles over several decades. These individuals were narrowed down from a wider pool of nominees by the Honors Committee during the annual winter meeting.

Statistical milestones define this particular class of candidates, with Parker being the only player in WNBA history to rank in the top ten for career points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. Griffin’s impact is measured by his 14,513 career points and his role in revitalizing the Los Angeles Clippers franchise during the early 2010s. Stoudemire’s peak efficiency was noted during the 2007-08 season when he averaged 25.2 points on 59% shooting from the field. Delle Donne’s career free-throw percentage of 93.4% remains the highest mark in the history of professional basketball, surpassing both NBA and WNBA records.

The final voting process will now commence, requiring a minimum of 18 out of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for an individual to achieve full induction. This rigorous screening ensures that only those with sustained excellence and significant cultural impact reach the enshrinement stage in Springfield, Massachusetts. Results of the final vote are traditionally revealed during the NCAA Final Four weekend, setting the stage for the official ceremony later in the year. Each finalist announced on Wednesday has met the mandatory four-year retirement window or age requirement necessary for consideration by the Naismith board.