Stoudemire, Rivers, Delle Donne headline 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame class

Eight individuals and one team enshrined

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame formally enshrined its 2026 class Saturday night at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts. Eight individuals and the 1996 U.S. Olympic women's basketball team joined the ranks of basketball immortals in a ceremony spanning playing, coaching, officiating and contributing careers across the NBA and WNBA.

Amar'e Stoudemire, a six-time All-Star over a 14-year NBA career with the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat, headlined the class. A five-time All-NBA selection, Stoudemire spoke about perseverance and growing up in poverty.

The most important aspect that I can give, that I experienced - when you're growing up in an environment when it's not easy to make it out of, the most important factor for me was, first of all, stay out of trouble... stay positive, stay focused, stay meaningful, and always keep in mind that perseverance, no matter what one goes through, one can persevere through anything

Coaches and an official honored

Doc Rivers, who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and has amassed 1,194 wins over a 27-year coaching career, was presented by Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, the three players who delivered his Boston title. Rivers also played 13 NBA seasons, averaging 10.9 points per game.

When you win a title, it's like receiving a blood transfusion. You three guys are connected for the rest of your lives - you really are. And I want you guys to hear that, and understand that

Mike D'Antoni, whose coaching career spanned from 1997-98 to 2020-21, was recognized for his offensive approach emphasizing 3-point shooting, the pick-and-roll and floor spacing. He ranks No. 22 in NBA history with 672 head coaching wins and was a two-time Coach of the Year (2005, 2017). D'Antoni credited his players and coaches for embracing his vision and recounted how Jeremy Lin, on a 10-day contract and close to release, was given a chance at his assistants' urging, producing what D'Antoni called the ride of their lives for New York.

Longtime NBA official Joey Crawford set records for the most playoff games (374) and Finals games (50) worked by a referee.

WNBA stars and a historic team

Three WNBA standouts were enshrined: Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw and Candace Parker. Delle Donne, a two-time WNBA MVP (2015, 2019) who led the Washington Mystics to their lone championship in 2019, became the first player in league history to shoot more than 50% from the field, 40% from 3-point range and 90% from the free-throw line. She opened with a quip to actor Larry David in the audience and credited her older sister Lizzie, who is blind and deaf, for keeping her grounded.

She never played in front of thousands of people, never had a standing ovation, never been interviewed after a big win. Yet I've never met anyone stronger. Thank you all for keeping me going

Holdsclaw, a six-time WNBA All-Star and the 1999 No. 1 overall pick by the Washington Mystics, led Tennessee to three straight NCAA titles from 1996 to 1998 under coach Pat Summitt, who died in 2016 after a battle with Alzheimer's. Her 1998 team went 39-0, the first undefeated season in Tennessee history and an NCAA record for most wins in a season at the time.

One person that I wish was here as my presenter was my demanding and wonderfully supporting college coach, Pat Summitt. The one and only. coach Summitt allowed me to grow as a player and person. I miss her dearly

The 1996 U.S. Olympic women's basketball team, which helped start a run of 30 years of American Olympic dominance with eight straight gold medals, was also enshrined. Gonzaga coach Mark Few rounded out the class.