The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame will welcome former Georgia and Kentucky coach Orlando Tubby Smith into its ranks on October 22, during a ceremony at the College Basketball Experience in Kansas City, Missouri.
A Legendary Career
Over three decades Smith amassed 642 victories, captured a national championship and guided five different programs to the NCAA Tournament. His first season at Georgia produced back‑to‑back tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 run in 1996, while his immediate impact at Kentucky culminated in a title the following year.
The 2026 induction class also features Jay Wright, Ted Owens, Danny Ainge, Glen Rice and Walt Hazzard, a group that Hall CEO Kevin Henderson described as among the most impactful figures in the sport’s history.
Representatives from the University of Georgia, the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Association of Basketball Coaches Foundation will attend the ceremony, underscoring the collaborative legacy of these coaches.