The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame just welcomed nine new legends, and as WNBA icon Candace Parker delivered an emotional, “full circle” speech capping off Saturday’s ceremony, the league’s landscape was shifting right under our feet. Around the same moment Parker was reflecting on her incredible career, A’ja Wilson officially passed her for 11th place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list. Talk about a passing of the torch in real time.
Parker’s ‘Full Circle’ Moment and WNBA Greatness
Parker, a three-time WNBA champion and two-time WNBA MVP, really poured her heart out, saying she “changed teams both literally and figuratively” throughout her journey. She gave props to NBA giants like Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson, but it was her nod to the WNBA generations that hit hardest. Parker said, “I came in as a rookie with Lisa Leslie and her greatness… and I got to pass the torch to a G.O.A.T. in A’ja Wilson on my way out.” That quote feels even more prescient now, doesn’t it? She’s officially in the Hall, and the league continues to evolve with stars like Wilson stepping up.
The WNBA’s incredible legacy was a huge theme for the Class of 2026. Six-time WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist Chamique Holdsclaw spoke about the profound impact the 1996 U.S. Women’s National Team had on her, inspiring her to chase a pro career. Holdsclaw also delivered a powerful message about mental health, telling anyone struggling that “your story is not over and your greatness is still within you.” That 1996 national squad, which made history with an 8-0 run to gold at the Atlanta Olympics, celebrated their own induction as a team, with four-time Olympic gold medalist Teresa Edwards declaring it “the greatest team I’ve ever played on.” She even challenged the crowd, saying, “I would put us up against anyone.”
NBA Legends and The Game’s Evolution
The men’s side saw some huge names honored too, with Doc Rivers officially joining the Hall. His welcome committee? None other than the Boston Celtics’ former Big Three: Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce. Rivers even joked that getting those three together for the ceremony might have been his “last great coaching feat.” He also got laughs crediting his famously “raspy” voice to his coaching career, which included leading that trio to the 2008 NBA title. Amar’e Stoudemire, who racked up six All-Star nods while starring with the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks, talked about ending the Knicks’ seven-year playoff drought in 2011. He remembered saying, “Before I got there, no one else wanted to go to New York… ‘The Knicks are back, and we’re gonna do this.’” What a statement. Stoudemire also championed “perseverance” as he reflected on his journey from tough economic times to NBA stardom.
Former NBA coach Mike D’Antoni used his induction to credit his Phoenix Suns players and coaches for their “courage to embrace a different way of playing,” famously saying, “Together, we influenced the game.” He shouted out Jeremy Lin’s “Linsanity” run with the Knicks as unforgettable and called James Harden “one of the most skilled players I’ve ever coached.” Longtime referee Joey Crawford, with 39 years, 2500 regular-season games, 50 Finals games, and 374 playoff games under his belt, celebrated by listing his accomplishments, quoting Muhammad Ali: “it ain’t bragging if you did it.” And Gonzaga coach Mark Few, who earned two championships with his program, made it clear the credit belongs to his players. “People see one coach standing on this stage tonight. I’m telling you, I see generations of players,” Few stated. Even two-time WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist Elena Delle Donne celebrated her induction, rounding out an incredible class.
The Class of 2026 has officially etched their names in history, setting a powerful standard for the game’s future and reminding us why we love this sport.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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