Overview
- First-time eligible headliners include Blake Griffin, Candace Parker, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson and Elena Delle Donne.
- The ballot spans global and team recognition with international figures such as Marc Gasol, Ettore Messina, Dusan Ivkovic, Juan Carlos Navarro, Andrei Kirilenko and David Blatt, plus the 1996 USA women’s national team.
- Returning candidates include Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Mark Few and broadcaster Marv Albert.
- Finalists are scheduled to be selected on Feb. 9, the full Class of 2026 will be unveiled on April 4, and enshrinement weekend is set for Aug. 14–15 in Uncasville and Springfield.
- Context around nominees includes Blake Griffin’s current NBA on Amazon Prime analyst role and past NCAA violation cases tied to coaching candidates Bruce Pearl and Kelvin Sampson.