A Hall of Fame Class That Bridges Eras
Tubby Smith, the longtime Texas Tech coach whose name has become synonymous with grit and growth, was recently announced as a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
His three‑year stint in Lubbock culminated in a 2016 NCAA Tournament appearance that snapped a nine‑year drought for the program, and his broader résumé includes a national championship at Kentucky in 1998 and nearly 650 career wins across seven Division I stops.
The 2026 induction class also welcomes coaching legends such as Bob Knight, who compiled a 138‑82 record during his Texas Tech tenure, and Jay Wright, whose own legacy of steady excellence will be honored alongside Smith.
The ceremony will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 22, 2026, a city that has hosted the Hall’s celebrations for two decades, and will be overseen by the Blue Ribbon Selection Committee in partnership with the NABC Foundation.
Kevin Henderson, CEO of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, praised the class for shaping the sport’s modern narrative, noting that this year marks the 20th edition of the induction ceremony. The class also includes Ted Owens, Danny Ainge, Glen Rice and Walt Hazzard, rounding out a cohort that reflects decades of college basketball excellence.