Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Highlights Parker and Delle Donne

Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne celebrated their induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with heartfelt speeches dedicated to basketball. The ceremony took place on a Saturday night, highlighting the contributions of the 2026 Hall of Fame class, which also included the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, Chamique Holdsclaw, NBA player Amar’e Stoudemire, longtime NBA official Joey Crawford, and coaches Doc Rivers, Mike D’Antoni, and Mark Few from Gonzaga.

Candace Parker’s Journey

Carrying a basketball to the podium, Parker emphasized its significance in her career. Her speech centered on her achievements, including dunking against UConn, having her own signature shoe, and being the first woman on the cover of NBA2K. Parker’s accolades include three WNBA titles, two MVPs, two championships at Tennessee, and two Olympic gold medals. She passionately remarked on her ‘love story’ with basketball that began 27 years ago.

Elena Delle Donne’s Tribute

Delle Donne’s speech reflected her profound connection to basketball amidst career challenges. Her older sister, Lizzie, who is blind and deaf, provided constant perspective and inspiration. Delle Donne expressed gratitude for her sister’s strength while acknowledging her own successes, such as her MVP awards in 2015 and 2019 and leading the Washington Mystics to their only WNBA championship. She distinguished herself as the first player to shoot over 50% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line.

She humorously began her speech by quoting actor Larry David’s famous line, acknowledging his presence in the audience.

Chamique Holdsclaw’s Recognition

Chamique Holdsclaw reflected on her Tennessee career, where she led the team to three consecutive titles from 1996 to 1998 under coach Pat Summitt. This team achieved a historic undefeated season with a 39-0 record. Holdsclaw paid homage to Summitt, attributing her growth to the iconic coach who passed away in 2016. She also acknowledged the influence of the 1996 Olympic team, icons of her youth.

Contributions of Other Inductees

Mark Few’s long tenure as Gonzaga’s coach since 1999 saw him leading the team to the NCAA Tournament every year, winning numerous championships, and reaching two title games. His induction speech marveled at his journey from a small town.

Joey Crawford’s lengthy officiating career spanned over 2,500 regular-season NBA games, with nearly 400 in the postseason and 50 NBA Finals appearances. He reflected on his youthful dream to officiate in the NBA and the work he put into achieving it.

Mike D’Antoni’s career in Italy laid the foundation for his NBA coaching style. He found success in Phoenix with his high-paced strategy, collaborating with fellow inductee Stoudemire.