Some big names in basketball are officially in the mix for the sport’s highest honor. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its list of first-time nominees for the 2026 class, and it reads like a who’s who of modern hoops history.
Among the headliners: Blake Griffin, Candace Parker, Jamal Crawford, Elena Delle Donne, and Joe Johnson - all making their debut on the ballot. On the coaching and contributor side, Mike D’Antoni, Bruce Pearl, and Kelvin Sampson are also first-time nominees.
And if that wasn’t enough star power, the legendary 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team is being considered as a unit.
Let’s start with the players. Blake Griffin, a former No. 1 overall pick, redefined the power forward position in his prime with his blend of athleticism, playmaking, and highlight-reel dunks. Injuries may have slowed him down in the latter half of his career, but at his peak, Griffin was a force - a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection who helped elevate the Clippers into perennial playoff contenders.
Candace Parker’s résumé speaks for itself. Two-time WNBA champion, two-time league MVP, and one of the most versatile players the women’s game has ever seen. Her ability to dominate in the post, stretch the floor, and facilitate offense made her a matchup nightmare - and her impact off the court has been just as significant, helping grow the women’s game into what it is today.
Jamal Crawford, meanwhile, might be the most electric sixth man of his generation. With a handle that could freeze defenders in their tracks and a knack for scoring in bunches, Crawford carved out a 20-year NBA career built on instant offense. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award three times and dropped 50-point games with multiple teams - not bad for a guy who came off the bench more often than not.
Elena Delle Donne, another first-time nominee, brought a unique combination of size, skill, and scoring to the WNBA. A two-time MVP and Olympic gold medalist, Delle Donne could shoot it from deep, take defenders off the dribble, and post up with ease - all at 6-foot-5. Injuries may have limited her time on the floor in recent years, but when healthy, she was one of the most unguardable players in the league.
Joe Johnson - aka “Iso Joe” - built his career on clutch buckets and cool composure. A seven-time All-Star, Johnson was known for his ability to create his own shot in crunch time. He played 17 seasons in the NBA, scoring over 20,000 points and earning a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable scorers in isolation situations.
On the coaching and contributor front, Mike D’Antoni is finally getting his due as a first-time nominee. He changed the way the game is played.
His “Seven Seconds or Less” offense in Phoenix helped usher in the modern era of pace-and-space basketball, and his influence can still be seen in today’s NBA. D’Antoni’s teams were always among the league’s most entertaining and innovative - and he helped unlock the full potential of stars like Steve Nash and James Harden.
Bruce Pearl and Kelvin Sampson are also on the ballot for the first time. Pearl has made waves at the college level, most notably with Auburn, where he’s turned the program into a consistent contender. Sampson, currently at Houston, has rebuilt that program into a national powerhouse, known for its tough defense and relentless energy.
The 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team is also being considered as a group - and rightfully so.
That squad didn’t just win gold in Atlanta; it set the tone for the future of women’s basketball in the U.S. With players like Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Dawn Staley, the ’96 team dominated the competition and laid the foundation for what would eventually become the WNBA.
Also worth noting: Jennifer Azzi is back on the ballot as an individual. She was a key member of that 1996 Olympic team and has been a finalist before. Her impact on the game - both as a player and as a pioneer - continues to resonate.
In total, nearly 200 players, coaches, and teams are being considered for the 2026 Hall of Fame class. It’s a deep list, but this group of first-time nominees brings a special kind of star power. From high-flying dunks to game-changing strategy, these names have helped shape the game in ways that go far beyond the box score.
The Hall will announce its finalists during NBA All-Star Weekend in February, with the final class revealed during the NCAA Final Four in April. If this initial list is any indication, we’re in for one of the most memorable Hall of Fame classes in recent memory.