The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has unveiled its list of 21 finalists for this year’s induction, and it features two iconic figures from the WNBA at the forefront.
Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne are not just names on a list; they represent a new era in women's basketball and have made significant contributions to the sport. In addition to these two legends, the women’s committee has also recognized Chamique Holdsclaw and Jennifer Azzi, alongside the celebrated 1996 United States women’s national basketball team. Furthermore, Molly Bolin-Kazmer has been chosen as a finalist by the women's veteran committee, highlighting the depth of talent in women’s basketball history.
On the men's side, notable names such as Blake Griffin, Doc Rivers, and Amar’e Stoudemire are included among the finalists. They are joined by Kevin Johnson, Buck Williams, various coaching figures like Mark Few, Gary McKnight, Dick Motta, Kelvin Sampson, and Jerry Welsh, along with referee Joey Crawford, showcasing a broad spectrum of basketball excellence.
Internationally, coach Dušan Ivković is recognized as a finalist by the international committee, while the contributors committee has nominated Mike D’Antoni and Tal Brody for their invaluable contributions to the game. Marques Johnson has also been acknowledged by the veterans committee.
Career Highlights of Candace Parker
Candace Parker is often hailed as one of the greatest female basketball players in history. Her college career at Tennessee was nothing short of spectacular; she earned All-American honors three times and played a pivotal role in securing consecutive national championships for the Volunteers in 2007 and 2008. In recognition of her exceptional performance, she was awarded the Naismith Player of the Year title in 2008 and was also named the AP Female Athlete of the Year that same year.
Selected first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2008 WNBA draft, Parker's professional career soared. She has twice been named WNBA MVP (2008, 2013), has participated in seven All-Star games, and has been recognized on the first team of All-WNBA seven times, with two second-team selections. Her championship resume includes three WNBA titles: one with the Sparks in 2016, another with her hometown Chicago Sky in 2021, and most recently with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. Additionally, Parker has contributed to Team USA’s Olympic success, capturing gold medals in both the 2008 and 2012 Games. Given her extraordinary achievements, her induction this year seems highly likely.
Career Highlights of Elena Delle Donne
Elena Delle Donne, much like Parker, was a standout performer during her college years, earning AP first team All-American status twice while playing for Delaware. The Chicago Sky selected her as the second overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, where she quickly made her mark in the league.
Delle Donne's professional accolades include being named MVP twice, earning seven All-Star selections, and being recognized on the first team of All-WNBA four times, as well as receiving a second-team honor. Her leadership was instrumental in guiding the Washington Mystics to the WNBA championship in 2019, a season during which she achieved the remarkable feat of joining the elite 50-40-90 club — shooting 50% from the field, 40% from beyond the arc, and a staggering 90% from the free-throw line. This achievement had previously only been accomplished by nine men in NBA history, underscoring her extraordinary talent.
Despite facing challenges such as recurring back injuries from 2019 through the 2023 season and a battle with Lyme disease, which influenced her decision not to participate in the 2020 "bubble" environment, Delle Donne’s career remains impressive. Had she not encountered these obstacles, her achievements could have been even more extraordinary. Nevertheless, she is widely anticipated to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
