The 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at Springfield Symphony Hall in Massachusetts, with live coverage on NBA TV and the NBA App. The event brings together a distinguished class of inductees whose careers have left an indelible mark on the sport, both in the United States and internationally.
A Coaching Legend
Doc Rivers, a Hall of Fame coach with 1,195 career wins, is among the eight individuals and one team being honored in 2026. His 13‑season playing career as a point guard, drafted 31st overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 1983, gave way to a coaching résumé that includes stints with the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks. Rivers guided the Celtics to NBA Finals appearances in 2008 and 2010, capturing a championship in 2008, and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2000.
Rivers also makes history as the first father‑son coach‑player duo in NBA history. His son, Austin Rivers, followed him onto the court, sharing the hardwood with his father on January 16, 2016 after a trade that briefly reunited them in Boston before Austin was dealt to the Clippers.
A Class of Pioneers
The 2026 induction class also celebrates former players and coaches whose contributions have defined eras of the game. Among them are Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, George Karl, Pat Riley, Jerry Sloan, Lenny Wilkens, Don Nelson, Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson, each recognized for their unique impact on basketball’s evolution.
The ceremony will be held in Springfield, Massachusetts, a city that has long served as a hub for basketball history. The event underscores the Hall of Fame’s mission to honor those who have advanced the sport’s growth domestically and internationally, while also highlighting the personal stories that connect generations of players, coaches and fans.