The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is already looking ahead to its 2027 induction class, reviewing a pool of early candidates who narrowly missed selection in the most recent cycle.
Emerging Contenders
Jennifer Azzi, the 1990 Naismith College Player of the Year who guided Stanford to a national championship, added an Olympic gold medal with the 1996 U.S. Women's Team and earned a 2021 induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, highlighting her blend of leadership and excellence.
Blake Griffin, whose NBA journey spanned the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, amassed six All-Star appearances and five All-NBA selections, cementing his reputation as a dynamic force despite injury setbacks.
Penny Taylor contributed to three WNBA titles with the Phoenix Mercury (2007, 2009, 2014) and earned first‑team All‑WNBA honors in 2007, underscoring a career marked by consistent high‑level performance.
Ticha Penicheiro topped the WNBA in assists seven times, helped the Sacramento Monarchs capture their sole championship in 2005, and collected four straight All‑Star nods (1999‑2002) along with three All‑WNBA team selections.
Jerry Welsh guided SUNY Potsdam to NCAA Division‑III crowns in 1981 and 1986, presiding over a 60‑game winning streak in the latter year, and he reached the Hall of Fame finalist stage in his final eligible seasons.
Mike Thibault steered the Connecticut Sun to two WNBA Finals and delivered the Washington Mystics their first championship in 2019, while earning WNBA Coach of the Year three times and guiding Team USA to Olympic gold in 2008 and 2024.
Coaching Legends
Dick Motta, who logged 25 seasons as a head coach with 935 victories and an NBA championship with the 1978 Washington Bullets, also mentored future inductees such as Jason Kidd and Jerry Sloan, shaping the next generation of basketball talent.
The growing list of candidates reflects a deep well of talent that has left indelible marks on the court, and the Hall of Fame’s upcoming decisions will likely spotlight both pioneering players and the architects of modern basketball strategy.