By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
WNBA legend Candace Parker, revolutionary head coach Mike D’Antoni, and veteran NBA coach Doc Rivers headlined a star-studded class officially enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday night. The Class of 2026 ceremony at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, also immortalized Amar’e Stoudemire, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw, referee Joey Crawford, Gonzaga coach Mark Few, and the trailblazing 1996 U.S. Women’s Olympic team.
D’Antoni, celebrated as an offensive innovator, used his induction speech to thank his former Italian club. “To Olimpia Milano and the fans, thank you for your love and friendship,” he reflected on his time overseas. “It was in Milan where I started experimenting with a smaller lineup and a faster style of play that could spread the defense and create more threes. Sasa Djordjevic and Antonio Davis were a big part of that evolution.” He was escorted to the stage by a presenter lineup featuring Steve Nash, Bob McAdoo, Jerry Colangelo, Rod Thorn, and Amar’e Stoudemire.
Capping off the night, Parker delivered a moving acceptance speech while flanked by presenters Tamika Catchings, Allen Iverson, Cheryl Miller, and Dwyane Wade. Reflecting on her legacy, Parker noted that her career had come full circle. “I came in as a rookie with Lisa Leslie and her greatness,” she stated. “I got to pass the torch to a GOAT in A’ja Wilson on the way out.”
The celebration featured a notable reunion when Rivers took the stage alongside members of his 2008 Boston Celtics championship team, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. He joked that ‘coaching stole my voice from me’ before describing a championship victory as being ‘like having a blood transfusion’.
Welcome home #26HoopClass 🧡🏀 pic.twitter.com/R2OBSVtLah
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) August 16, 2026
Meanwhile, Stoudemire was presented by an impressive group including Colangelo, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Rick Welts, and his longtime partner-in-crime, D’Antoni. The former NBA All-Star touched hearts by recalling his humble upbringing. “The first basketball I got was from my mom as a gift, and that basketball became my best friend,” he shared.
Crawford provided a classic viral quote. Channeling Muhammad Ali, he proudly remarked, “It ain’t bragging if you did it… and I did.” Few focused his remarks on explaining his unparalleled, lifelong loyalty to the Bulldogs program, while Delle Donne shared a poetic, heartfelt letter dedicated to the sport during her time at the podium, and Holdsclaw opened up about her personal survival, resilience, and deep faith.
Finally, the groundbreaking 1996 USA Women’s Olympic Team, presented by a legendary ensemble of their peers, stood together on stage to celebrate laying the structural foundation for the popularity of modern women’s basketball.
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