Elena Delle Donne and Candace Parker are now forever bonded. They officially joined the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class Saturday night, cementing their place among the game’s all-time greats. This induction ceremony wasn’t just about two WNBA legends, though. It was a full-on celebration of basketball greatness, bringing together a stacked group of players, coaches, and even an official who all shaped the sport we love.
Elena Delle Donne’s Unstoppable Impact
This is where Delle Donne’s incredible career really shines. She poured her heart out in a love letter to basketball during her speech, talking about all the ups and downs. She kept life in perspective, thanks to her older sister Lizzie, who is blind and deaf. “She never played in front of thousands of people, never had a standing ovation. never been interviewed after a big win. Yet I’ve never met anyone stronger,” Delle Donne said, choking up. “Thank you all for keeping me going.” That hits right in the feels, doesn’t it?
On the court, Delle Donne was an absolute force. She snagged MVP awards in both 2015 and 2019, with that second one coming when she led the Washington Mystics to their only WNBA championship. And get this: Delle Donne became the first player in league history to shoot more than 50% from the field, 40% from beyond the arc, and 90% from the free-throw line. That’s a triple-threat stat line nobody else in the league had ever hit! She even kicked off her speech with a shoutout to Larry David, hoping it was “pretty, pretty, pretty good,” after Doc Rivers introduced them before the ceremony. What a night for her!
Hoops Royalty Takes Its Rightful Place
The rest of this 2026 class is just as loaded. Chamique Holdsclaw, a true college basketball icon, got her due. She helped Tennessee win three straight titles from 1996-98, the first team to ever pull that off. Her 1998 squad went undefeated at 39-0, setting an NCAA record for most wins back then! Holdsclaw gave a powerful tribute to her coach, the late Pat Summitt: “One person that I wish was here as my presenter was my demanding and wonderfully supporting college coach, Pat Summitt,” she said. “The one and only. coach Summitt allowed me to grow as a player and person. I miss her dearly.” Holdsclaw also had an 11-year WNBA career and thanked the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, who were also inducted, sparking the Americans’ 30 years of Olympic dominance with eight straight gold medals.
Mark Few, Gonzaga’s coach since 1999, took them to the NCAA Tournament every year and twice reached the title game. He called it “a crazy, surreal moment” for a guy from a 1,500-person town. Legendary official Joey Crawford, with over 2,500 regular-season games and 50 NBA Finals games in his 39-year career, got in. Amar’e Stoudemire and NBA coaches Doc Rivers and Mike D’Antoni also made the cut. D’Antoni developed that fast-paced style with the Phoenix Suns, with Stoudemire at the heart of it. He even thanked his wife, who he said was “most excited about the 19”.
What a night for hoops history! Seeing these legends get enshrined in Springfield is just incredible. It reminds you of the sheer talent, dedication, and heart it takes to truly leave an unforgettable mark on the game. These are the stories that inspire the next generation, making us all look forward to seeing who steps up next to chase that ultimate basketball dream.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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