Basketball Legends Celebrate Hall of Fame Induction

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame welcomed its latest inductees, celebrating a night filled with homage to the sport. Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne delivered heartfelt speeches, expressing deep gratitude for basketball’s impact on their lives.

Candace Parker, inducted as part of the 2026 class, brought a basketball to the podium, symbolizing her connection to the sport. Inductees alongside her included the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, Chamique Holdsclaw, Amar’e Stoudemire, longtime NBA official Joey Crawford, and coaches Doc Rivers, Mike D’Antoni, and Mark Few.

“It felt weird to walk on the stage without the reason I’m here today,” Parker stated to her basketball. She reminisced on pivotal moments like dunking on UConn and being the first woman on the NBA2K cover. Her achievements include three WNBA titles, two MVP awards, two championships with Tennessee, and two Olympic gold medals.

Elena Delle Donne also used her speech to reflect on her career’s ups and downs, emphasizing the inspiration from her sister Lizzie. Delle Donne’s remarkable career highlights include achieving MVP status in 2015 and 2019, and leading the Washington Mystics to a WNBA championship while achieving an exceptional shooting record.

Her speech included a light-hearted nod to actor Larry David, thanking him with his famous line, “pretty, pretty, pretty good,” showcasing her sense of humor.

Coach Doc Rivers shared emotional moments about the influence of his brother Grady, recognizing his substantial 1,194 game wins as an NBA coach. Chamique Holdsclaw paid tribute to her former coach Pat Summitt, whose impactful mentorship helped Holdsclaw grow as a player, leading Tennessee to three consecutive titles in the late 1990s.

Mark Few reflected on his unexpected journey to coaching success with Gonzaga. He paved a legacy of consistent NCAA Tournament appearances since 1999. Joey Crawford, with a distinguished 39-year officiating career, recalled his teenage dreams that propelled him into the NBA, officiating over 2,500 games.

Mike D’Antoni, known for his innovative fast-paced style developed during his time in Italy and later with the Phoenix Suns, contributed significantly to modern basketball strategies. The presence of fellow inductee Amar’e Stoudemire highlighted their past teamwork.