John Calipari to be Inducted into 2026 Memphis Sports Hall of Fame
The Memphis Sports Hall of Fame will welcome John Calipari into its 2026 class during a ceremony scheduled for September 16 at the Renasant Convention Center. The event will bring together former players, colleagues and fans to celebrate the coach who defined a generation of Memphis basketball.
Calipari spent nine seasons at the helm of the Memphis Tigers from 2000 to 2009, compiling a record that makes him the winningest coach in the program’s history. Under his guidance the team captured seven regular‑season titles, four Conference USA tournament championships and reached the Elite Eight in both 2006 and 2007.
His teams won at least 20 games each season, including four campaigns with 30 or more victories, and posted a career winning percentage of 78.5 percent overall and 82.4 percent in Conference USA play. The Tigers also earned three NIT championships and final fours during his tenure, while his squads were ranked among the nation’s elite.
Beyond the wins, Calipari’s impact is measured by the NBA talent he produced. Nine former Tigers have been drafted into the league, highlighted by Derrick Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP who was selected first overall in 2008. The coach’s ability to develop talent contributed to his five national coach‑of‑the‑year awards and his induction into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2015.
The upcoming ceremony will also recognize the broader contributions of those who shaped Memphis basketball, including longtime figures such as Stubby Clapp, Phil Chamberlain and Larry Kenon, as well as NBA stars like Tyreke Evans and Shawne Williams. Their stories intertwine with Calipari’s legacy, illustrating a community where sport and civic pride are inseparable.