Jamal Crawford, Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Joe Johnson, Candace Parker, the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, and coaches Bruce Pearl and Kelvin Sampson were among the first-time nominees announced Friday who will be considered for enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next year.
Also among the notable first-time nominees was Mike D’Antoni as a contributor.
Nearly 200 players and teams were on the list unveiled by the Naismith Hall, including some finalists who fell short of enshrinement in the 2025 class. Among them was Jennifer Azzi, who was a member of that 1996 U.S. women’s team that won gold at the Atlanta Games. Azzi is a nominee again as an individual this year.
That American squad also included Chattanooga native Venus Lacy, who led Brainerd High School to a state championship and Louisiana Tech to an NCAA Division I tournament championship.
“The candidates for the Class of 2026 have each left an indelible impact on the game of basketball,” John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, said in a release from the shrine in Springfield, Massachusetts. “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.”