Dell Donne, Parker named Naismith Hall of Fame finalists

“This year’s group of Finalists represents the full scope of basketball’s impact, from the professional and collegiate ranks to high school, international play, officiating, and innovation,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Their achievements span championships, historic milestones, and a lasting influence on how the game is played, taught, and experienced around the world. Each Finalist has made a notable contribution to basketball’s growth and excellence, and their collective legacy speaks to the power of the sport.”

Molly Bolin-Kazmer was also selected as a finalist by the Women’s Veteran Committee. The full list of finalists selected by the Women’s Committee includes:

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The 1996 United States Women’s National Team won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta with a record of 8-0, winning by an average of more than 30 points per game. The team was coached by Tara VanDerveer and was stacked with star players that would eventually dominate in the WNBA, such as Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Dawn Staley, Teresa Edwards, Rebecca Lobo and Katrina McClain.

Elena Delle Donne had a stellar career in the WNBA with both the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics. She was selected second overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky after a successful season at the University of Delaware. In 2016, she won a gold medal at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro with the U.S. team. In addition, she is a two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player recipient (2015 and 2019) and led the Mystics to their first franchise WNBA championship in 2019. In 2021, she was named to the WNBA’s 25th Anniversary Team and had a slew of accomplishments during her time on the court, including being a seven-time All-Star and four-time All-WNBA First Team selection.

Candace Parker was a standout player during her time at Tennessee and won two NCAA national championships in 2007 and 2008. She was drafted No. 1 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks at the 2008 WNBA draft and spent the first 13 seasons of her career there. During that time, she became a two-time league MVP (2008 and 2013), became the only player in league history to be named Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season in 2008, won two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, earned Finals MVP honors in 2016, was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, and was a seven-time WNBA All-Star and All-WNBA First Team selection. She also won three WNBA championships: one with the Sparks in 2016, one with the Chicago Sky in 2021, and one with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.

Jennifer Azzi was a star athlete at Stanford. During her time there, she was the Naismith College Player of the Year and Wade Trophy recipient in 1990. She also led her squad to the 1990 NCAA national championship and was the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. At the international level, she won gold in the 1996 Olympic Games and the 1990 and ’98 FIBA World Championships. Off the court, she co-founded the American Basketball League (ABL), which folded in 1998, and played in the WNBA from 1999-2003. Almost 20 years after playing as a professional athlete, she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Class of 2009.

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Chamique Holdsclaw played at the collegiate level at Tennessee, where she led the team to three consecutive NCAA national championships. During her time as a Lady Vol, she was a two-time Naismith College Player of the Year in both 1998 and 1999 and graduated as the SEC’s all-time leading scorer. In 1999, she was selected first overall in the WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics and was named Rookie of the Year. She went on to win an Olympic gold medal in 2000 and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Molly Bolin-Kazmer’s game was recognized at an early age. In 1986, before playing at the collegiate level at Grand View College, she was inducted into the Iowa High School Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1978, she became the first player signed in the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL) and was nicknamed “Machine Gun” Molly for her impressive ability to score. She played with the Iowa Cornets and led the team to back-to-back WBL championship appearances and set a single-game scoring record by knocking down 55 points. In 1980, she was averaging 32.8 points per game, which was the highest amount by a woman at that time.

The final Class of 2026 will be announced on April 4, and Enshrinement Weekend for the finalists will be held from Aug. 14, to Aug. 16, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

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