The Best Moments From the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Ceremony
The 2026 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony celebrated basketball icons whose impact spans NBA championship sidelines, WNBA dynasties, Olympic dominance and legendary officiating.
Held at the historic Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Saturday (Aug. 15), the 2026 class featured Candace Parker, Chamique Holdsclaw, Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire, Elena Delle Donne, Mike D’Antoni, Mark Few, Joey Crawford, and the 1996 USA Basketball Women’s National Team.
Over the course of the weekend, the Hall of Fame brought together eras of hardwood history, honoring basketball excellence at every level.
Here are the best moments from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
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The Celtics’ BIG 3 Reunite To Present Doc Rivers
Boston Celtics legends Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen reunited on stage to officially present their championship head coach, Doc Rivers, into basketball immortality. After the trio’s very public falling out following Allen’s departure to the Miami Heat in 2012, the onstage reunion provided one of the most emotional highlights of the weekend. Rivers made it a personal mission to bring Pierce, Garnett, and Allen back together to share in his incredible moment. Rivers even joked on stage that getting all three of them to stand together alongside him was “my last good coaching feat.” Rivers also spoke about how coaching changed his voice.
“I want you guys to know a couple of quick things, that this isn’t my real voice,” Rivers explained. “I swear I used to have a high voice. I used to be able to really sing. Can’t do that anymore.”
Candace Parker Brings a Special ‘Podium Partner’
WNBA legend Candace Parker walked onto the stage carrying an official basketball as her “podium partner.” In her speech, she addressed the ball directly, calling her 27-year career a “love story.” Parker also shared a text message she received from the late Kobe Bryant ahead of Game 5 of the 2016 WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx.
“Finally, in 2016, game five at Minnesota for the title, I got a text from Kobe. He says, ‘Do it the hard way. It’s always better that way. You can’t die with bullets in the chamber,’ Parker recalled. “I finally just played that game like I was a kid again. I was free, not worried about the outcome. I really, in fact, just hooped. We won off an offensive rebound by Nneka Ogwumike. It turns out Pat (Summitt) was in fact right. Offensive rebounds do matter.”
Chamique Holdsclaw Recalls Metta Sandiford Artest Being Her Bodyguard
Chamique Holdsclaw left the WNBA as one of the most decorated players in the history of the league. But her Hall of Fame story began on the streets of Queens, New York. As her game developed, she recalled a story of how Metta Sandiford Artest (then known as Ron Artest) came to her defense on the basketball court.
“If anyone tries to hurt her, I’ma knock y’all out,” she recalled Artest saying.
Holdsclaw dedicated her moment to her late coach at Tennessee, Pat Summitt.
“One person I wish was here tonight as my presenter, my demanding and wonderfully supportive college coach, Pat Summitt, the one and only,” said Holdsclaw, who played under Summitt at Tennessee from 1995–1999. “Coach Summitt allowed me to grow as both a player and a person. She stood by me 10 toes down during life’s highs and lows. She showed me unconditional love and support. Also showed me that support is not defined. Family is not defined by blood. I miss her dearly.”
The 1996 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team Enters the Hall of Fame on 30th Anniversary
Exactly 30 days to the date of their historic Gold Medal run in Atlanta, the legendary 1996 U.S. The Women’s Olympic Team was celebrated for sparking the launch of the WNBA. The powerhouse 12-woman roster included Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Teresa Edwards, Dawn Staley, Katrina McClain, Rebecca Lobo, Jennifer Azzi, Ruthie Bolton, Venus Lacy, Nikki McCray-Penson, Carla McGhee, and Katy Steding. The coaching staff included head coach Tara VanDerveer and three assistant coaches: Ceal Barry, Nancy Darsch, and Marian Washington.
Moving tributes honored the late Nikki McCray-Penson (represented by her son, Thomas Nikson Penson) and late assistant coach Nancy Darsch, celebrating the pivotal grit and heart they brought to the team’s historic 60-0 gold-medal run.
Amar’e Stoudemire Celebrates the Era-Defining ‘Seven Seconds or Less’ Suns
Six-time NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire delivered an emotional and grounded enshrinement sppechthat reflected on his journey from poverty to the Hall of Fame. Remeberd for his explosive athleticism, five All-NBA selections, and transformative run anchored in the “Seven Seconds or Less” era, he spoke about the power of perseverance.
”The most important aspect that I can give that I experienced when you’re growing up in an environment where it’s not always easy to make it out of, the most important factor for me was, first of all, stay out of trouble,” Stoudemire said. “That was the first and foremost thing for me to stay out of trouble, stay positive, stay focused, stay meaningful. And always keep in mind that, no matter what one goes through, you can persevere through anything.”
