Naismith Hall of Fame inducts Parker, Delle Donne, Holdsclaw and 1996 Olympic squad

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has confirmed its Class of 2026, inducting Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw and the 1996 US Olympic women’s basketball team. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in Springfield, Massachusetts, recognising these figures for their significant contributions to the development and popularity of women’s basketball.

The 1996 Olympic squad, coached by Tara VanDerveer, is credited with paving the way for the 1997 launch of the WNBA and the 1996 launch of the American Basketball League. The team, which included Carla McGhee, the late Nikki McCray, Jennifer Azzi, Ruthie Bolton, Teresa Edwards, Venus Lacy, Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Katrina McClain, Dawn Staley, Katy Steding and Sheryl Swoopes, won gold in Atlanta. This victory initiated a run of eight consecutive Olympic gold medals for the US women and established a professional infrastructure that supported the league’s early growth.

Parker and Holdsclaw, former Tennessee Lady Vols teammates, were inducted together. Parker, who is the only player to have won WNBA Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season in 2008, previously noted that Holdsclaw had introduced her to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame earlier in the year. Holdsclaw is noted as one of the first WNBA players to speak publicly about mental health, while Parker is recognised for expanding the tactical role of the forward position.

Elena Delle Donne, who was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in June, is recognised for overcoming significant health challenges, including Lyme disease and back issues, during her career. A two-time MVP and 2019 WNBA champion with the Washington Mystics, Delle Donne’s career statistics include a league-leading free throw percentage of 93.7 per cent.

Other inductees in the 2026 class include Amar'e Stoudemire, Doc Rivers, Mark Few, Mike D'Antoni and official Joey Crawford. The inductees will be formally enshrined during the annual ceremony in Springfield, marking a formal institutional acknowledgement of their respective impacts on the sport’s governance and global profile.