Last year, a dozen of the most popular and influential players in NBA history were immortalized in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It’s almost time to do it again, as the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame class set to be revealed on April 4. This week, the 21 elected finalists have been announced, with the Honors Committee to make the final vote.
NBA Alumni Headline The 2026 Naismith Hall of Fame Class
For anyone associated with the game of basketball, the greatest honor one can receive is being enshrined at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Named after James Naismith, the father of basketball and the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, it’s currently home to “more than 475” former players, coaches, executives, referees and other contributors. With over 5,000 NBA alumni, only about three percent of Hall of Fame inductees played in the what’s universally considered to be the most competitive professional basketball league in the world.
That makes the elections Blake Griffin, Amar’e Stoudemire, Kevin Johnson and Buck Williams all the more special.
Blake Griffin
Selected first overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, Griffin became a household name during his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. Revered for his video game athleticism, he was one of the driving forces in the franchise’s Lob City era. Following a series of knee injuries, the 2010-11 NBA Rookie of the Year was forced to adapt to his game, becoming one of the league’s most skilled players. By the time he called it quits, he was a six-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection. He ranks second in Clippers history in career points (10,863) and fourth in career rebounds (4,686).
Amar’e Stoudemire
Stoudemire was the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. By the time he won Rookie of the Year, it was evident that he was going to be one of the league’s future stars. However, his ascension was sped up by the popularity of the run-and-gun Phoenix Suns. His career took a turn after he was traded to the New York Knicks, injuries playing a key role. Nevertheless, he retired as a six-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection. He’s one of just two former players to record over 10,000 career points and 3,000 career rebounds with the Suns.
Kevin Johnson
The seventh overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, Johnson isn’t a well-known figure among today’s fans. All the same, from 1988-89 to 1996-97, he was among the cream of the crop. In that time, the 6-foot-1 floor general averaged a near 20-point double-double with 19.8 points and 10.0 assists per game. That stretch saw him earn three NBA All-Star selections, five All-NBA selections and his fair share of NBA MVP votes. Johnson has the distinction of ranking top-four in Suns history in total points (12,747), assists (6,518), steals (1,022), free-throws (3,851) and triple-doubles (13).
Buck Williams
Williams was drafted third overall in the 1981 NBA Draft. In his heyday, he was a two-way force and exceptional rebounder who helped the New Jersey Nets be perennial playoff contenders. Joining the Portland Trail Blazers midway through his career, he continued to be an outstanding defensive player. Twice helped the Blazers reach the NBA Finals. Today, he’s a three-time NBA All-Star and four-time All-Defensive selection. He’s the Nets’ all-time leader in games played (635), minutes played (23,100), rebounds (7,576), 2-point field goals (3,979), and free-throws (2,476).
Coaches, Contributors, Candace Parker
Not to be forgotten, former NBA head coaches Dick Motta and Mike D’Antoni are also among the finalists for the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame class. So too is Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers. Ironically, D’Antoni coached Stoudemire during their time in Phoenix. In a similar vein, Rivers was the Clippers’ head coach when Griffin starred for them.
Motta coached for five NBA teams: the Washington Bullets, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls, and Sacramento Kings. In 1971, he won NBA Coach of the Year with the Bulls. In 1978, he coached the Bullets to an NBA championship. Like Houston’s Kelvin Sampson, another finalist for the 2026 Naismith Hall of Fame class, he was also an accomplished college coach.
Of note, D’Antoni is being nominated as a contributor rather than a coach, but it’s seemingly a matter of semantics. The innovative philosophies he popularized as head coach, primarily analytics-driven offense, helped shaped the NBA into what it is today. Prior to arriving in the NBA, he was also one of the most accomplished players and head coaches in Italy.
Though his Bucks tenure has been tense, Rivers could realistically be fifth all-time in wins by next season. With 1,184 regular season victories, he’s currently ranked sixth. He’s only 26 wins behind Pat Riley (1,210 wins), the most famous coach-turned-executive. Future milestones aside, his legacy will forever be intertwined with the Boston Celtics team that won a championship in 2008.
Giving The WNBA Love
Not mentioning former WNBA superstar Candace Parker would be disrespectful. Not only is she incredibly accomplished, she helped popularize and legitimize a league that’s stigmatized. Parker headlines the WNBA’s finalists for the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame class, even outshining fellow two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne. Former WNBA All-Star Chamique Holdsclaw and three-time WNBA MVP candidate Jennifer Azzi also made the finalists list.
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