Former BYU star and current Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge has been selected for induction into the Naismith Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
A Storied College Career
Ainge's collegiate résumé reads like a Hall of Fame showcase. He earned the John Wooden Award, was a consensus First Team All‑American, and captured the WAC Player of the Year honor during his time at Brigham Young University. His 2,467 points rank third in BYU history behind Tyler Haws and Jimmer Fredette, while his 112 consecutive double‑figure scoring games remain a program record.
The senior season of 1980‑81 was especially memorable. Ainge led the Cougars to their only Elite 8 appearance in school history and delivered a 37‑point performance in a 78‑55 victory over UCLA in the NCAA Tournament, tying the single‑game scoring record for BYU players in that tournament. He averaged 24.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists that year, and his 21.1‑point freshman average once stood as the foundation of 15 freshman single‑season records, many of which were later broken by AJ Dybantsa.
Ainge's impact extended beyond statistics. He bested notable contemporaries such as Isiah Thomas, Sam Bowie and Ralph Sampson for the Wooden Award, and his 19.1‑point, 4.6‑assist, 3.9‑rebound junior season cemented his reputation as a versatile scorer and playmaker.
Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Ainge will be joined in the 2026 class by a distinguished group that includes Jay Wright, Tubby Smith, Ted Owens, Glen Rice and the late Walt Hazzard. Their collective contributions span decades of college basketball excellence, from championship coaching to iconic playing careers that shaped the sport's evolution.
The induction ceremony will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, a city that has long served as the Hall of Fame's home. Ainge's selection underscores the enduring influence of his playing legacy and his subsequent leadership roles, notably his front‑office stewardship of the Boston Celtics.