The James Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is moving closer to inducting several prominent basketball figures. Among the finalists announced Wednesday are three-time WNBA champion Candice Parker, 1996 Team USA women’s national team member Elena Delle Donne, and Chamique Holdsclaw, all poised to join the Hall’s prestigious ranks celebrating women’s basketball history. Former NBA stars Blake Griffin and Amar’e Stoudemire, along with Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, are also on the list of finalists.
Candice Parker, a two-time WNBA MVP and the only player in league history to win both MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season (2008), has left a lasting legacy in women’s basketball. After an outstanding college career at the University of Tennessee, she retired in 2023 ranked tenth in points, third in rebounds, eleventh in assists, fifth in blocks, and eighteenth in steals in WNBA history. Parker also earned Finals MVP honors in 2016 leading the Los Angeles Sparks to their fourth title and led her hometown Chicago Sky to the franchise’s only WNBA Championship in 2021.
The 1996 USA women’s national team, dubbed the “Women’s Dream Team,” remains one of the most dominant squads ever. Led by Hall of Famers like Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Sheryl Swoopes, Teresa Edwards, and Katrina McClain, the team also featured stars such as Jennifer Azzi and Nikki McCray. This legendary group, which helped spark the creation of the WNBA, won gold while outscoring opponents by nearly 29 points per game.
Elena Delle Donne, who retired in 2023 after a decade-long career, is the only WNBA player to be named MVP with two different teams (Washington Mystics in 2019 and Chicago Sky in 2015). Known for her exceptional shooting and basketball IQ, she was the first player to join the exclusive 50-40-90 club in WNBA history, boasting shooting percentages over 50% overall, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line. She finished her career averaging 19.5 points per game, placing her fifth all-time in the league.
Chamique Holdsclaw made an immediate impact, winning WNBA Rookie of the Year in 1999 with an average of 16.9 points and 7.9 rebounds. Over 11 seasons, she was a six-time All-Star and three-time All-WNBA selection, leading the league in scoring once and rebounding twice. Holdsclaw’s elite status was further cemented by her college achievements at Tennessee, where she won the Naismith Player of the Year award twice and helped guide the Lady Volunteers to three national titles.
In the men’s category, Doc Rivers, one of seven NBA coaches to win Coach of the Year in his first season (1999-2000), is also among the finalists. He ranks sixth in all-time NBA coaching wins with 1,183 and led the Boston Celtics to their first championship in two decades in 2008, orchestrating one of the greatest single-season comebacks. Recognized as one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history, Rivers is a strong candidate for induction.
Blake Griffin, who retired after the 2022-23 season, was known for his athleticism and skill, averaging 21.4 points and 9.0 rebounds over 765 games. He played a central role during the Clippers’ “Lob City” era, posting career highs of 24.3 points and 9.5 rebounds in the 2013-14 season and finishing third in MVP voting. Griffin also recorded seven triple-doubles, tying for second most in franchise history.
Amar’e Stoudemire’s blend of offense and athleticism helped revitalize the Phoenix Suns alongside two-time MVP Steve Nash and coach Mike D’Antoni, who is also a finalist. Stoudemire was a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, averaging nearly 19 points and 8 rebounds throughout his 14-year career. He won Rookie of the Year in 2003 and was known as one of the most powerful dunkers in the league.
Mike D’Antoni, with 253 wins as Phoenix’s coach, ranks third in franchise history. His “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns team reached two Western Conference Finals and achieved a remarkable .707 winning percentage with 232 wins in four full seasons.
In total, 21 finalists are competing for Hall of Fame induction this year, including names like Marquis Johnson, Mark Few, Jerry Welsh, Dick Motta, Gary McKnight, Kelvin Sampson, Molly Bolin-Kazmer, Tal Brody, Joey Crawford, and Kevin Johnson. The inductees will be announced in April, with a memorial weekend set for later this year at Mohegan Sun Arena, beginning with a secret gala and awards ceremony on August 14 and concluding with the induction ceremony on August 15 at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts.
This article was originally published in The Athletic.
Fan Take: This announcement is a thrilling moment for WNBA fans, as it highlights the incredible talent and influence of women who have shaped the sport at its highest levels. Inducting these legends not only honors their achievements but also elevates the profile of women’s basketball, inspiring future generations and reinforcing the WNBA’s place in sports history.
