NBA: Blake Griffin, Doc Rivers among Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame finalists

First-time candidates Blake Griffin and Candace Parker, as well as returning candidate Doc Rivers, are among the 21 finalists for election to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class.

The organization announced its list of finalists, reduced from a larger candidate pool, on Wednesday.

Amar'e Stoudamire, Elena Della Donne and Kevin Johnson are additional player nominees, along with the entire 1996 United States Women's National Team.

In addition to Rivers, coach finalists include Mark Few, Kelvin Sampson and Mike D'Antoni, who is being considered by the contributors committee. Joey Crawford, who was an NBA referee from 1977-2016, is the lone non-player/coach still in consideration.

The list of candidates who were not selected as finalists includes Rick Barnes, Anfernee Hardaway, Robert Horry, Bill Laimbeer, Shawn Marion, Marian Washington, Mike Fratello, Curly Neal and Marc Gasol.

The Hall of Fame's honors committee will vote on the finalists, with the inductees set to be announced during Final Four weekend on April 4.

North American Committee Finalists (in alphabetical order)

• Joey Crawford (Referee)
• Mark Few (Coach)
• Blake Griffin (Player)
• Kevin Johnson (Player)
• Gary McKnight (Coach)
• Dick Motta (Coach)
• Doc Rivers (Coach)
• Kelvin Sampson (Coach)
• Amar'e Stoudemire (Player)
• Jerry Welsh (Coach)
• Buck Williams (Player)
• Women's Committee Finalists
• 1996 United States Women's National Team
• Jennifer Azzi (Player)
• Elena Delle Donne (Player)
• Chamique Holdsclaw (Player)
• Candace Parker (Player)
• Women's Veterans Committee Finalist
• Molly Bolin-Kazmer (Player)
• International Committee Finalist
• Dusan Ivkovic (Coach)
• Contributors Committee Finalists
• Tal Brody
• Mike D'Antoni
• Veterans Committee Finalists
• Marques Johnson

— Field Level Media/Reuters