Candice Parker and Elena Delle Donne head the list of inaugural women’s basketball nominees for the 2026 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class. The celebrated 1996 U.S. women’s national team, marking 30 years since their gold medal victory at the Atlanta Olympics, will also be inducted for the first time.
As suggested by Zachary Draves, celebrating the 1996 team’s 30th anniversary should be a highlight of the 2026 WNBA All-Star event, perfectly leading up to their Hall of Fame induction. This iconic squad, featuring pioneers from the early WNBA, was central to Team USA’s streak of eight Olympic gold medals. Their Atlanta gold was the pinnacle of a yearlong 60-game exhibition tour, designed both to prepare for the Olympics and demonstrate women’s professional basketball’s viability in the U.S.
Alongside the 1996 team, Parker, Delle Donne, and other legendary women’s basketball players who have been nominated before are all strong contenders to be inducted in September 2026. Details on the candidacies of Parker, Delle Donne, and Shameek Holsclaw are included below.
Candace Parker
Candace Parker entered basketball with lofty expectations and overcame significant setbacks, including redshirting her freshman year at Tennessee due to a knee injury and enduring injuries during what should have been her prime professional years. Despite this, she has unquestionably surpassed those expectations.
Parker’s game-defining versatility and forward-thinking style make her a Hall of Famer. At 6-foot-4, she could score from anywhere on the court, control the offense, and defend multiple areas. Her college accolades include numerous Player of the Year awards and two national championship MVPs. In the WNBA, she earned two MVP awards, three titles, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, multiple All-WNBA and All-Star selections, plus a gold medal.
Parker’s career began and ended with historic highlights: she is the only player to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same WNBA season and guided the Chicago Sky to their first championship at age 35, then won again in her final season with the Las Vegas Aces.
Elena Delle Donne
Elena Delle Donne paved her own path, resisting expectations to follow the traditional route, and despite facing adversity, crafted a career marked by excellence. After transforming Delaware State into a powerhouse, she propelled the Chicago Sky to multiple playoffs and a Finals appearance, earning numerous awards including an MVP and Olympic gold.
Later joining the Washington Mystics, Delle Donne balanced basketball with family life and captured another MVP and the franchise’s first championship. In 2019, she achieved a historic 50-40-90 shooting season, showcasing her incredible scoring ability. Though her career was sometimes interrupted by health issues, her shooting remains among the best ever, making her a remarkably unstoppable scorer.
Shameek Holdsclaw
Though Shameek Holdsclaw’s career may not have reached the highest altitudes expected, her place in the Hall of Fame is well deserved. Holdsclaw was a major star in women’s basketball in the 1990s, bringing widespread attention to the sport, exemplified by Nike commercials and a legendary SLAM magazine cover.
As a trailblazer for highly hyped female players, Holdsclaw was a solid pro — Rookie of the Year, six-time All-Star, multiple MVP candidate, and gold medal winner. Her college career was extraordinary, leading Tennessee to three titles and sweeping National Player of the Year honors twice during a dominant era. Her college success rivals the best male candidates.
Interestingly, Holdsclaw, like Parker, is a Lady Vol legend and, like Delle Donne, had her best WNBA season with the Mystics.
Other notable first-time female candidates include Lynn Norberg Barry, Patsy Neal, and Rosie Walker, with veterans like Jennifer Azzi, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, and Ticha Penicelio also deserving strong consideration.
Fan Take:
This news is huge for WNBA fans as it honors trailblazing women who helped shape and elevate the sport, both on and off the court. Celebrating these legends not only cements their legacies but also inspires the next generation, underscoring the growing impact and respect for women’s basketball worldwide.
