WNBA Legends Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne Headline 2026 Hall of Fame Class

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announces finalists, including the 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's National Team.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has announced its finalists for the Class of 2026, and leading the charge are two of the most decorated players in women's basketball history: Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne. Their inclusion, alongside the 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's National Team, signals a significant moment for the sport and a recognition of the growing impact of women's basketball on the global stage.

Why it matters

The induction of Parker and Delle Donne, along with the 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's National Team, represents a major milestone for women's basketball. Their achievements have helped elevate the sport's profile and pave the way for the continued growth and popularity of the WNBA.

The details

Candace Parker, a three-time All-American at the University of Tennessee, led the Volunteers to back-to-back national championships in 2007 and 2008. She was the first WNBA player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season and has won three WNBA championships. Elena Delle Donne, a two-time AP First Team All-American at the University of Delaware, has won two WNBA MVP awards and led the Washington Mystics to the 2019 WNBA championship. The 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's National Team, which won gold in Atlanta, played a crucial role in elevating the profile of women's basketball in the United States and paving the way for the formation of the WNBA.

  • The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the finalists for the Class of 2026 in February 2026.
  • The new class will be announced on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in a live broadcast on ESPN2 at 12:00 PM (noon) EST during Final Four Weekend.

The players

Candace Parker

Widely considered one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time, Candace Parker is a three-time All-American at the University of Tennessee who led the Volunteers to back-to-back national championships in 2007 and 2008. She has had a successful professional career, winning two WNBA championships and three Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

Elena Delle Donne

Elena Delle Donne excelled at the collegiate level, earning two-time AP First Team All-American honors at the University of Delaware. She has had a standout professional career, winning two WNBA MVP awards, seven All-Star selections, and four All-WNBA First Team honors, including leading the Washington Mystics to the 2019 WNBA championship.

1996 U.S. Olympic Women's National Team

The 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's National Team, which won gold at the Atlanta Olympics, played a crucial role in elevating the profile of women's basketball in the United States and paving the way for the formation of the WNBA.

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What’s next

The new Hall of Fame class will be announced on Saturday, April 4, 2026, during Final Four Weekend.

The takeaway

The induction of Parker, Delle Donne, and the 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's National Team into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame represents a significant milestone for women's basketball, reflecting the sport's growing impact and the increasing recognition of the contributions of female players and teams.