Former NBA standouts Blake Griffin and Joe Johnson are among the noteworthy first-time nominees eligible to be inducted into the class of 2026, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced in a press release.
For women’s hoops, ex-WNBA stars Elena Delle Donne and Candace Parker are also eligible for the first time, and both two-time MVPs are likely shoo-ins to be enshrined on August 14. Coaches Kelvin Sampson, Bruce Pearl and Mike D’Antoni, the latter of whom is technically in the “contributor” category, are among the other first-time nominees.
Returning eligible candidates include Mark Few, Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion.
The finalists will be selected on February 9, while the 2026 class will be unveiled on April 4.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, Griffin was sidelined for his first professional season due to a left knee injury, which eventually required surgery. He made a triumphant return in 2010/11, winning the Rookie of the Year award and earning the first of six All-Star berths.
Griffin, 36, was named to five All-NBA teams over the course of his 13 active years in the league. Injuries continued to be an issue, however, particularly at the end of his career.
Johnson, 44, was the 10th overall selection in 2001. He played parts of 18 years in the NBA, making seven All-Star appearances and earning one All-NBA nod in 2009/10.
Are they short on options this year?
The NBA HOF is the opposite of the MLB one: everyone gets in as long as you had a couple nice years lol
It’s not the NBA hall of fame. It takes into account all of your basketball accomplishments.
True that.
no way Griffin gets in
I think there’s no way he doesn’t get in. The Basketball Hall of Fame has a low bar for entry and Griffin has five All-NBAs (no first teams, though). ROY, six All-Stars, received MVP votes in a few years. Throw in his college career (AP Player of the Year, Wooden Award, Naismith Award) and he’ll make it.
Not sure if this is one bar Griff can reach. If Amare is still sitting around, I’d suspect Griff is as well.
If Tracy McGrady got in Griffin gets in for sure. I don’t think Joe Johnson or mcgrady or Griffin are Hall of famers. But like someone said everyone gets in.
Hmm this hit home
Forget Blake if Tracy’s in then iso Joe should be too — Tracy and Joe had essentially the same career only Tracy was more flashy and actually had teams built around him.
Man ya’ll didn’t watch T-Mac play if you don’t think he’s a HOFer.
He won one play off series.
Fun empty calorie scorer. Not a winner.
He’s a low tier hall of famer is all I meant like Joe is too.
One was flashy and didn’t win squat the other was boring but had the better career
Been saying this for years. The gap between Kobe AI and T-mac is huge. A.i and Kobe carried teams in the playoffs the 2008 game 7 lost to Utah bro. Na man
Nobody mentioned should be in
I dont care either way about Blake but just tired of seeing his ugly mug in all the commercials lately. He will make the HOF
Neither
Love iso Joe but just don’t think he’s Hall of Fame worthy.
No
Blake makes sense, but Joe Johnson seems like a bit of a reach
Blake’s first few years made the Clippers must watch if you are into the highlight possibility. He helped turn that organization around. I think that will help him get in.
Is Chambers or Horry in yet?
They don’t deserve to be in on first ballot.
Griffin has his college career to help him too. Not first ballot to me. Iso Joe doesn’t belong imo. Nice player. Not a HOF player.
As long as Bruce Pearl doesn’t get nominated. It’s an embarrassment that he was even nominated
Iso Joe even as a HOF candidate, is ridiculous to me.
lol at Glenn Rivers
Joe is literally on the line with over 20000 career points and 7 all stars. Everyone with those 2 milestones is in. Personally I think the NBA hall of fame is completely watered down and none of these candidates should get in but at the same time there are guys worse than Blake and Johnson in the hall rn so they have a good shot.