Blake Griffin, Doc Rivers headline 2026 Hall of Fame finalists

The new batch of figures who could be in line for this year's basketball enshrinement has finally been revealed.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The official list of finalists for the 2026 Naismith Hall of Fame has been unveiled, with Blake Griffin, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Doc Rivers headlining the honorable selections. Griffin is a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA member, while Stoudemire is a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA honoree. Rivers is the sixth-winningest coach in NBA history with 1,114 wins and led the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship.

Why it matters

The Hall of Fame induction is one of the highest honors in basketball, recognizing the sport's all-time greats. The finalists represent a diverse group of players and coaches who have made significant contributions to the game over their careers.

The details

Blake Griffin, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, is known for his entertaining dunking ability and helped lead the LA Clippers to success during the "Lob City" era. Amar'e Stoudemire was an explosive big man who was a core member of the influential "7 Seconds or Less" Phoenix Suns teams that helped change the game. Doc Rivers is the sixth-winningest coach in NBA history and led the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship.

  • The full list of finalists for this year's Naismith Hall of Fame was unveiled on February 12, 2026.
  • The Class of 2026 will be revealed during the NCAA Final Four weekend in April 2026.
  • The official enshrinement ceremonies are set for August 2026 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The players

Blake Griffin

A six-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA member, and the 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year. He was a key part of the "Lob City" era with the LA Clippers.

Amar'e Stoudemire

A six-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA honoree, and the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year. He was a core member of the influential "7 Seconds or Less" Phoenix Suns teams.

Doc Rivers

The sixth-winningest coach in NBA history with 1,114 wins. He led the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship.

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What’s next

The Class of 2026 will be revealed during the NCAA Final Four weekend in April 2026, with the official enshrinement ceremonies set for August 2026 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The takeaway

This year's Hall of Fame finalists represent a diverse group of players and coaches who have made significant contributions to the game of basketball over their careers. The induction ceremony will be a celebration of the sport's all-time greats and their lasting impact on the game.