Bucks Coach and Former Maccabi Center Among New Hall of Fame Inductees

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 was (unofficially) unveiled on Tuesday, featuring an active coach, two of the WNBA's all-time greatest players, and a Phoenix Suns legend.

According to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, Doc Rivers, Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, and Amar'e Stoudemire have been selected for induction.

The official announcement is anticipated on Saturday, April 4th, with the induction ceremony scheduled to take place between August 14th and 15th.

After a 13-year playing career in the NBA, Doc Rivers transitioned into one of the league's premier coaches. He started strong with the Orlando Magic, where he compiled a 171-168 record over five seasons. His true establishment came with the Boston Celtics. In nine years, the team reached the playoffs seven times, won the championship in 2008, and returned to the Finals in 2010, where they lost in seven games to the Los Angeles Lakers.

He subsequently coached the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers before taking over the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2023-24 season. In 27 years as a head coach, he boasts a 58% winning percentage and 1,191 victories, placing him sixth all-time.

Amar'e Stoudemire was one of the most explosive big men of his generation with the Phoenix Suns, earning Rookie of the Year honors and receiving MVP votes in four seasons, with consistent selections to All-NBA teams. In his first year with the New York Knicks, he was equally impressive, making an All-Star Game appearance and finishing in the top 10 of MVP voting.

Injuries later impacted his career, but in 2024, the Suns retired his No. 32 jersey in his honor.

Candace Parker is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. As the No. 1 pick for the Los Angeles Sparks, she won MVP and Rookie of the Year in her debut season. In a 16-year career, she secured two MVP awards, seven All-WNBA First Team selections, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and two WNBA championships, consistently remaining an MVP candidate.

Elena Delle Donne also had an impressive start in the WNBA. With the Washington Mystics, she earned two MVP awards, Rookie of the Year, four All-WNBA First Team selections, and one championship. The COVID-19 pandemic and a severe back injury threatened to prematurely end her career.

She missed the 2020 season due to Lyme disease and played only three games in 2021 before undergoing surgery. Nevertheless, she returned for two more seasons before retiring in 2025.