The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has released its list of eligible candidates for the upcoming class, and for Tennessee fans, it reads like a roll call of legends. Four former Lady Vols-Bridgette Gordon, Chamique Holdsclaw, Candace Parker, and Michelle Snow-are officially on the ballot, with Parker and Snow making their debut as nominees.
These four icons, each of whom played under the legendary Pat Summitt, are among a deep and talented group of women’s basketball candidates that includes Jennifer Azzi, Elena Delle Donne, Cheryl Ford, Wanda Ford, Suzie McConnell, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Ticha Penicheiro, and Ruth Riley. It’s a class stacked with resumes that helped shape the women’s game into what it is today.
A Legacy Built in Knoxville
Let’s start with Bridgette Gordon. If you’re talking about building blocks of the Lady Vols dynasty, she’s one of the cornerstones.
Gordon played from 1985 to 1989, helping Tennessee capture two NCAA titles and earning Most Outstanding Player honors in 1989. A two-time All-American, her No. 30 jersey hangs in the rafters at Thompson-Boling Arena for good reason.
She’s already in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and now the Naismith Hall could be next.
Then there’s Chamique Holdsclaw, one of the most dominant players the college game has ever seen. From 1995 to 1999, she led the Lady Vols to three straight national championships and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player twice.
Holdsclaw wasn’t just a force in March-she was the Naismith College Player of the Year in both 1998 and 1999. Her No. 23 is retired in Knoxville, and she’s already earned a spot in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Her impact on the game went far beyond the stat sheet-she was the face of women’s college basketball at the turn of the millennium.
Candace Parker, recently retired and already set to be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, now finds herself up for the sport’s highest individual honor. From 2004 to 2008, she was the ultimate game-changer.
A two-time NCAA champion and two-time Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Parker was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2008. Her No. 3 is retired by Tennessee, and her pro career only added to her legend.
Few players have ever entered the college game with more hype-and even fewer lived up to it the way Parker did.
Michelle Snow rounds out the Lady Vols quartet. From 1998 to 2002, she was a key piece of Tennessee’s frontcourt, earning First-Team All-SEC honors in 2001.
Known for her athleticism and presence in the paint, Snow went on to a long and successful professional career, both in the WNBA and overseas. Her contributions to the Lady Vols program came during a transitional period, and she helped keep the standard of excellence alive.
A Hall of Fame-Worthy Class
“The candidates for the Class of 2026 have each left an indelible impact on the game of basketball,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Through defining performances, influential leadership, and achievements that helped elevate the sport on the national and international stage, this year’s ballot recognizes those whose legacy continues to shape how the game is played, coached, and celebrated.”
It’s hard to argue with that. The Lady Vols have long been a powerhouse in women’s basketball, and this group of nominees is a testament to that legacy. Each of these four players not only excelled on the court but helped push the sport forward-whether by dominating at the college level, inspiring the next generation, or paving the way in the professional ranks.
With the Hall of Fame vote looming, the spotlight is once again on Knoxville-not just for what these women accomplished in orange and white, but for what they’ve meant to basketball as a whole.