Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Finalists

You know you’re getting old when the athletes you watched redefine the game are suddenly measuring for gold jackets. That reality hit hard this Wednesday with the announcement of the finalists for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026. It’s a group that feels less like a history lesson and more like a highlight reel from yesterday.

We’re talking about Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, and Blake Griffin—names that still feel fresh on the tongue. Toss in coaching legend Doc Rivers and the explosive Amar’e Stoudemire, and you’ve got a class that represents a distinct, high-octane era of basketball.

Parker and Delle Donne: Redefining “Her Game”

Parker isn’t just a finalist for the hall; she’s a lock. Parker changed the geometry of women’s basketball. She was “positionless” before it was a buzzword. From dunking in high school contests to securing championships with three different franchises, she did it all.

She remains the only player in WNBA history to snag Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. That’s not just greatness; that’s showing up and immediately owning the place.

Then there’s Delle Donne. If Parker was about versatility, Delle Donne was about pure, unadulterated efficiency. A two-time MVP who made the 50-40-90 club look casual, she brought a title to Washington and proved that being 6-foot-5 didn’t mean you had to camp in the paint. She was a shooter’s nightmare and a scorer’s dream.

The Era Of “Lob City” and High-Altitude Hoops

For NBA fans, this list brings back memories of rims rattling in Los Angeles. Griffin and his old coach, Rivers, are both on the ballot. Griffin’s case is fascinating. He burst onto the scene, but he evolved into a gritty, playmaking forward who left everything on the floor. He turned the Clippers from a punchline into a powerhouse. It’s impossible to tell the story of 2010s basketball without Griffin.

And Rivers? The man has coached everybody. With over 1,100 wins and that gritty 2008 Celtics championship ring, his spot in the hall feels inevitable. He’s the voice that narrated some of the league’s most intense rivalries over the last two decades.

Stoudemire and the Seven Seconds or Less Legacy

Stoudemire is back on the ballot, and rightly so. Before small-ball took over, “STAT” was a terror. As the finishing hammer to Steve Nash’s nail in Phoenix, Stoudemire was a six-time All-Star who played with a ferocity that made you wince. His knees might have betrayed him eventually, but his peak was as high as anyone’s.

The Rest Of the Hall Of Fame Field

The hall of fame list doesn’t stop with the headliners. You’ve got Kevin Johnson, the explosive point guard turned mayor; Joey Crawford, the ref everyone loved to hate, and Mike D’Antoni, the architect of the modern offense. Even the 1996 U.S. Women’s Olympic team is up for the hall of fame. That was the squad that essentially launched the WNBA.

The final call comes in April during the Final Four. Until then, we get to debate the merits, watch the old clips, and appreciate just how good we had it watching these legends work.