20 Second Timeout: 8/16/26

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's 2026 Class Includes Amar'e Stoudemire, Doc Rivers, Mike D'Antoni, and Joey Crawford

The 2026 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class includes four inductees with NBA ties: referee Joey Crawford, player Amar'e Stoudemire, and coaches Doc Rivers and Mike D'Antoni. The other inductees this year are men's college basketball coach Mark Few, and women's players Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Candace Parker. The 1996 United States Women's National Team that won the Olympic gold medal is also being inducted; that team includes six players who have already been inducted individually: Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Katrina McClain, Dawn Staley, and Sheryl Swoopes.

Joey Crawford was presented by former NBA President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn. Fellow referee Danny Crawford had been listed as a presenter but was not able to attend the ceremony. Joey Crawford said that his father, Shag Crawford, was his inspiration to become a referee. Shag Crawford was a National League umpire for 20 years, including more than 3000 games and three World Series. Joey Crawford holds the records for most NBA playoff games officiated (374) and most NBA Finals games officiated (50).

Joey Crawford said, "I love baseball, but basketball was my bag" ever since early childhood. His father introduced him to NBA referee Jake O'Donnell (who was considered a great referee until his career ended in disgrace after an unwarranted ejection of Clyde Drexler), and Crawford said that O'Donnell not only inspired him at that time but that his first encounter with O'Donnell influenced him to help out young referees after he was an established referee. "It's my way of giving back," Crawford explained.

Crawford began his officiating journey in Philadelphia, and received his first break when he got the opportunity to officiate in the legendary Baker League. His next stop was the Eastern League, the forerunner of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). After four years in the Eastern League, Crawford was hired as an NBA referee in 1977. He worked as a referee until 2016, and still works for the NBA to this day.

Mike D'Antoni was presented by Jerry Colangelo, Bob McAdoo, Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Rod Thorn. Casual fans may not realize how good of a player D'Antoni was before he became an NBA coach. He was named the greatest guard in Italian LBA League history after leading his team to five Italian League titles, two FIBA European Champions Cup (now called EuroLeague) titles, two Italian Cups, one FIBA Korać Cup, and one FIBA Intercontinental Cup. D'Antoni smoothly transitioned from playing to coaching, winning a FIBA European Cup, a FIBA Korać Cup, and an Italian Cup in seven years before heading back to the United States to work in the NBA. After D'Antoni's initial forays in the NBA as an assistant coach, head coach in Denver (briefly), and scout, he returned to Italy to coach, adding another Italian League title to his resume. D'Antoni returned to the NBA in 2002 as an assistant coach in Phoenix, and he soon became the head coach. The rest is history: "Seven Seconds or Less" became a catchphrase (and a book) as the Suns' run and gun style electrified the league, resulting in two Western Conference Finals appearances, two regular season MVP awards for Steve Nash, and the Hall of Fame inductions of Nash, D'Antoni, and Stoudemire. After leaving the Suns, D'Antoni only reached the Western Conference Finals one more time, in 2018 with Houston. His teams lost in the first round or missed the playoffs in six of the last 10 seasons of his career.

D'Antoni began his speech by calling this "a profound and unexpected honor." He said that growing up in West Virginia he had two idols: Rod Thorn and Jerry West. Thorn later became D'Antoni's coach in the ABA. D'Antoni said that going to Marshall University he learned not only the fast paced style of play he later came to symbolize, but also resilience after the school and the community mourned in the aftermath of a 1970 airplane crash that killed 75 people, including 37 of Marshall's football players.

D'Antoni said, "Sometimes life disappointments can take you exactly where you belong." He did not have a lengthy playing career in the ABA or NBA, but that led him to Italy, where he enjoyed such great success as a player and as a coach. In Italy, D'Antoni refined the run and gun style of play that he later brought to the NBA; his teams pushed the ball and spread the floor to create open three pointers, which (for better or worse) is the way that almost every NBA team plays now.

D'Antoni thanked his wife Laurel for 42 years of support and of being a great mother. He emotionally said that the day his son Michael was born was the best day of his life, adding that he never expected the emotions that come with fatherhood, a sentiment with which this father can relate.

D'Antoni briefly mentioned his experiences coaching the New York Knicks, L.A. Lakers, and Houston Rockets, and he singled out James Harden as one of the most talented players he coached. D'Antoni concluded, "Basketball is always evolving. Players improve, front offices adapt, coaches innovate. I was fortunate to coach players and work with organizations that were willing to embrace change. Together we helped revolutionize pace, space, and the three point shot. But the game keeps evolving, coaches like Steve Kerr keep pushing it forward. If the Hall of Fame is about leaving impact, I hope mine is simple: we made the game a little faster, a little brighter, and a heck of a lot more fun. I am the luckiest man in the world to spend my life doing what I love alongside people I love. Thank you."

Doc Rivers was presented by the "Big Three" players from his 2008 Boston championship team: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. Rivers earned one All-Star selection during his 13 season playing career, and he worked as a broadcaster before he became a coach and at times when he was in between coaching jobs. Rivers ranks sixth in career regular season coaching wins (1192) and fourth in career playoff coaching wins (114) with one NBA title (Boston 2008) and two Eastern Conference titles (2008, 2010) to his credit. In 2022, Rivers was selected as one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history.

Rivers clarified for those who don't know that his real first name is not Doc but Glenn (he received the nickname Doc as a youngster because he wore a Dr. J shirt to a basketball camp). He said that his role models growing up included his uncle Jim Brewer, who played in the NBA, and his cousin Ken Singleton, who played Major League Baseball. Rivers believed that he could be a pro athlete because he had seen two family members do it before him.

Rivers said that his "first real basketball dream" was to beat his older brother Gar, who used to beat him 32-0 in one on one games. Rivers said that his brother has always been happy for his success, and that this means so much to him. He mentioned that this support means even more after you reach the stage in life when both of your parents have passed away, noting that many of the inductees who spoke before him talked about the impact that their parents had on their lives. Rivers implored that if you still have your parents, "Hug them, I'm just telling you, because when they're gone, they're gone, and they're gone forever."

Rivers' father was a police officer and little league coach. His father "pounded" one particular life lesson into the Rivers household: "There will be no victims in the Rivers family," meaning that there would be no whining or complaining when something bad happens. Rivers' mother always told him, "You are right where you are supposed to be." Rivers said that message sounds good when things are going well, but is not so pleasant when things are going poorly--but the point is that when things are tough you pick yourself up and keep moving forward.

Rivers mentioned several mentors in the coaching ranks, including George Raveling, Lenny Wilkens, K.C. Jones, and John Thompson. When Rivers was a high school senior, he heard Raveling say, "Use the basketball and don't let the basketball use you," and that message profoundly influenced him. Wayne Embry "served as a sounding board for me throughout my life whenever I needed wisdom, poise, or just needed to be reminded to be a leader."

Rivers said that the worst argument he ever had with a coach as a player was with Pat Riley, who told him at that time, "One day when you are a head coach--and you will be one--you're going to understand exactly where I'm coming from." Rivers recalled telling Riley that he would never become a coach because every coach he knows seems nuts. Rivers said that now he wants to thank Riley for "being right on all counts." He added that a valuable lesson he learned from Riley is to never coach a person as he is today but rather to push him to become who he should be someday.

Rivers thanked the "Big Three" and all of the players and coaches from Boston's 2008 championship team. He said that when you win a championship together it is like having a "blood transfusion" that connects you "for the rest of your lives."

He concluded by thanking his family, including ex-wife Kristin, who he praised for her loyalty to him and their kids throughout his coaching career. Rivers said that she had a list of anyone who did him or them wrong and that he wanted to be like Michael Jordan and name names but his daughter told him that he can't do that so he'll keep things moving. Rivers mentioned each of his children by name and thanked them for the sacrifices that they made while he was away from home coaching. Rivers said that having seven grandchildren is "just awesome." He expressed his pride in being the first father to coach his son (Austin) in the NBA.

Amar'e Stoudemire was presented by Jerry Colangelo, Mike D’Antoni, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Steve Nash, and Rick Welts. Stoudemire provided the paint presence and inside scoring for D'Antoni's run and gun Phoenix teams. From 2005-09, Stoudemire averaged 23.2 ppg and 9.0 rpg while shooting .567 from the field, making the All-Star team four times and earning three All-NBA selections during that five year span (and he was limited to just three games due to injury in one of those seasons).

Stoudemire began by thanking God and thanking his mother, noting that he said his prayers as a kid and that he always obeyed his mother, traits that he feels served him well while growing up in poverty. He next thanked both the Hall of Fame and the Naismith family. Stoudemire thanked the fans, all of his teammates, and all of his coaches. He singled out Jerry Colangelo, Rick Welts, and the Phoenix Suns for molding him after he jumped straight to the NBA from high school.

Stoudemire said that his journey is defined by "perseverance." Stoudemire thanked his father "of blessed memory" for taking him to his first basketball game; at that game, Stoudemire saw his cousin dunk the ball and hang on the rim, and Stoudemire began to believe that he could eventually do that as well. Stoudemire's first basketball was a gift from his mother, and he described basketball as both a "best friend" and "a therapist."

Stoudemire cited McGrady as an influence who showed that it is possible for a Florida kid to go straight to the NBA from high school. It is remarkable that Stoudemire did not play organized basketball until he was 14 and he only played two years of high school basketball before the Suns selected him with the ninth pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. Stoudemire credited veteran players Penny Hardaway, Tom Gugliotta, and Stephon Marbury with answering his questions and mentoring him during his rookie season. He also connected with team broadcaster (and retired NBA player) Eddie Johnson, as well as other team staffers and personnel. Stoudemire's thirst for knowledge and wisdom is evident.

After talking about his time playing for Phoenix, New York, and Miami (he did not mention his brief stint in Dallas), Stoudemire said that as his NBA career ended he had "secretly" been studying Torah for 20 years and that he wanted to move where he could play basketball while continuing those studies. Stoudemire played pro basketball in Israel for several years, finishing his career by winning an Israeli Premier League championship and the Finals MVP.

Stoudemire thanked his wife, and he thanked and his six children, who he took everywhere with him throughout his career. He closed by saying that the most important thing for him in his journey besides perseverance was "staying out of trouble." He grew up in difficult circumstances, but he stayed focused on his dream and on his goal.

Selected Articles About Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies:

Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, and 2008 "Redeem Team" Headline Nine Member 2025 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class (Class of 2025)

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inducts 13 Member 2024 Class, Including Vince Carter and Jerry West (Class of 2024)

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's 2023 Class Includes Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, and Gregg Popovich (Class of 2023)

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's 2022 Class Includes NBA Players Lou Hudson, Tim Hardaway, and Manu Ginobili (Class of 2022)

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Welcomes 15 New Members and Honors Bill Russell a Second Time (Class of 2021)

Kobe Bryant Headlines the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (Class of 2020)

The Basketball Hall of Fame Welcomes A Diverse Class of 12 Inductees (Class of 2019)

Thoughts and Observations About the 2018 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony (Class of 2018)

Reflections on the 2017 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony

Reflections on the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016

Bobby "Slick" Leonard Remembers the ABA During his Basketball Hall of Fame Speech (Class of 2014)