PHOENIX — Growing up, Candace Parker admired Chamique Holdsclaw and the trailblazing 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team.
This year, Parker and Elena Delle Donne are set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, joining that very same iconic team.
“I am incredibly pleased for Chamique, and it’s wonderful that she’s receiving her deserved recognition. She truly merits it,” Parker shared with The Associated Press. “Certainly, Elena Delle Donne and I had our competitive moments, and we were all, I believe, inspired by the ’96 team. So, I find this moment to be profoundly special.”
Parker expressed honor at her inclusion in the 2026 Hall of Fame class, which also features Amar’e Stoudemire, Mike D’Antoni, Joey Crawford, Doc Rivers, and Mark Few.
“It signifies so much, becoming part of an esteemed group of individuals whom I’ve always respected, admired, and who paved the way. I consider it extraordinarily special,” Parker commented.
Parker secured three WNBA championships with three distinct franchises: Los Angeles, Chicago, and Las Vegas. She stands as the sole player in league history to claim both the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.
Her collegiate career at Tennessee, under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, saw her win two titles, in addition to two Olympic gold medals and two WNBA MVP accolades.
Holdsclaw reminisced about having photographs on her wall as a child in New York, depicting members of the 1996 Olympic team—the squad that initiated women’s basketball’s run of eight consecutive gold medals and was instrumental in the WNBA’s formation.
“There are four or five players from that team whose pictures I still have at home, including Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, and Teresa Edwards,” Holdsclaw stated.
Holdsclaw led Tennessee to an unprecedented three consecutive titles from 1996 to 1998, a first for any team. The 1998 championship marked Tennessee’s inaugural undefeated season, finishing 39-0, and the Volunteers established a then-NCAA record for most wins in a single season. Parker later helped Summitt achieve her final two championships in 2007-08.
“She would be incredibly proud right now,” Holdsclaw remarked, speaking of her former coach. “I know she cherished both of us.”
Holdsclaw went on to enjoy an 11-year career in the WNBA. Both the WNBA and the now-defunct ABL were largely made possible by the 1996 team. The American squad remained undefeated at the Atlanta Games, and the immense interest generated by their pre-Olympic barnstorming tour across the U.S. captivated fans nationwide.
“The ’96 Olympic team was truly an extraordinary assembly of women who embarked on a mission and successfully accomplished it,” coach Tara VanDerveer noted. “It played a pivotal role in establishing both the ABL and the WNBA, and I believe it served as the rocket propulsion that laid the foundation for today’s women’s basketball landscape. I think it’s tremendously exciting for all the players and coaches involved with that team.”
Delle Donne earned two WNBA MVP awards in 2015 and 2019, with the latter coming as she guided the Washington Mystics to their sole championship. Delle Donne etched her name in league history as the first player to achieve shooting percentages over 50% from the field, 40% from beyond the 3-point line, and 90% from the free-throw line.
Stoudemire, the only NBA player honored in this year’s class, was named Rookie of the Year in 2003 and went on to become a six-time All-Star. He spent his initial eight professional seasons with the Phoenix Suns, where he played alongside D’Antoni.
“It means everything from a basketball perspective,” Stoudemire told the AP. “Reflecting on my career, not just as a professional but also through high school and at the national level, ever since I was a child playing basketball. I adore the game. You play because you love it, and then you strive to be the absolute best you can be, regardless of circumstances. To enter the Hall of Fame demonstrates that the voters appreciate that dedication. And now, we are forever enshrined.”
Rivers boasts 1,192 career victories on his coaching record, placing him sixth on the all-time wins list. He steered the Boston Celtics to the NBA championship in 2008 and was at the helm of the LA Clippers during their renowned “Lob City” era.
Few has accumulated 773 wins during his tenure at Gonzaga. He established the NCAA Division I men’s coaching record by securing 81 victories in his first three years at the institution. Few guided the Bulldogs to the national championship game in both 2017 and 2021.
Crawford officiated 2,561 regular-season NBA games and 50 Finals games throughout his remarkable 39-year career. He officially retired in 2016.
D’Antoni’s fast-paced offensive philosophy significantly influenced the sport, redefining strategic approaches. He achieved nearly 1,200 career wins and was twice named NBA Coach of the Year.
In a historic first, the Hall of Fame celebrated its incoming class at the women’s Final Four on Friday evening. Parker, Holdsclaw, and several members of the 1996 Olympic team were present, alongside Stoudemire and D’Antoni.
The official enshrinement ceremony is scheduled to occur in August at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.