Candace Parker Elena Delle Donne Hall of Fame

Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne delivered emotional tributes to basketball during their induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday night in Springfield, Massachusetts. Both WNBA legends reflected on their careers, the people who shaped them and the sport that gave them unforgettable opportunities.

The 2026 Hall of Fame class featured an impressive collection of basketball figures. Alongside Parker and Delle Donne, the class included the legendary 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, Chamique Holdsclaw, Amar’e Stoudemire, longtime NBA referee Joey Crawford, coaches Doc Rivers and Mike D’Antoni, and Gonzaga head coach Mark Few.

Candace Parker Delivers a Love Letter to Basketball

Parker brought a basketball with her to the podium, turning the moment into a powerful tribute to the sport that defined her career. She spoke directly to the ball while remembering some of the biggest moments of her journey.

The former Tennessee star highlighted her achievements, including her historic performances against UConn, signature footwear, and appearance on the cover of NBA 2K. Parker also became one of the most decorated players in women’s basketball history.

Her résumé includes three WNBA championships, two WNBA MVP awards, two NCAA championships with Tennessee and two Olympic gold medals. She also became a major figure in the growth and visibility of women’s basketball.

Parker became emotional near the end of her speech. She described her relationship with basketball as a love story that began decades ago, making the Hall of Fame ceremony a deeply personal celebration.

Elena Delle Donne Reflects on Strength and Family

Elena Delle Donne also used her Hall of Fame speech to celebrate basketball while acknowledging the challenges she experienced throughout her career.

Delle Donne won WNBA MVP honors in 2015 and 2019. During her second MVP season, she helped the Washington Mystics win their first WNBA championship. She also achieved a remarkable shooting milestone by becoming the first player in WNBA history to finish a season above 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 90% from the free-throw line.

One of the most emotional moments came when Delle Donne spoke about her older sister, Lizzie. Despite never experiencing the spotlight of professional sports, Lizzie has been an important source of inspiration throughout Delle Donne’s life.

Delle Donne also added humor to the ceremony by acknowledging actor Larry David, who was sitting in the audience. She hoped her speech would be “pretty, pretty, pretty good,” referencing David’s famous television catchphrase.

Chamique Holdsclaw Honors Pat Summitt

Chamique Holdsclaw used her speech to recognize the teammates and coaches who helped shape her legendary career.

Holdsclaw was a key part of Tennessee’s historic women’s basketball program under Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt. The Lady Vols won three consecutive national championships from 1996 through 1998, becoming the first team to accomplish the feat.

Holdsclaw also remembered Summitt, who died in 2016. She described her former coach as demanding, supportive and instrumental in her development as both a player and person.

Her college career included Tennessee’s undefeated 39-0 season in 1997-98, an NCAA record at the time for most wins in a single season.

1996 Olympic Team Celebrates a Historic Legacy

The 1996 U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team was another major highlight of the ceremony. The gold-medal squad helped establish the foundation for America’s remarkable Olympic dominance in women’s basketball.

The United States has since won eight consecutive Olympic gold medals, making the 1996 team an important part of one of the greatest winning streaks in international sports.

Rivers, Few, Crawford, D’Antoni and Stoudemire Join the Class

Doc Rivers entered the Hall of Fame after a distinguished coaching career that included 1,194 regular-season victories, ranking among the highest totals in NBA history. He became emotional while discussing his late brother Grady and the influence he had on his life.

Mark Few, Gonzaga’s longtime head coach, also celebrated an extraordinary journey. Since taking over the program in 1999, Few has guided Gonzaga to the NCAA tournament every season and reached the national championship game twice.

Joey Crawford was recognized for a remarkable officiating career spanning 39 years. He worked more than 2,500 NBA regular-season games, hundreds of playoff contests and 50 NBA Finals games.

Meanwhile, Mike D’Antoni was honored for his influential playing and coaching career. His fast-paced offensive system became particularly famous during his time with the Phoenix Suns, where Amar’e Stoudemire was one of his star players.

The 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony ultimately became more than an awards event. It celebrated generations of players, coaches and officials while highlighting the passion, sacrifice and relationships that make basketball such a powerful part of their lives.