A Hall of Fame Celebration
Orlando “Tubby” Smith, the charismatic former Kentucky Wildcats coach, has been selected for the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame’s class of 2026, a testament to his indelible impact on college basketball.
Smith’s tenure at Kentucky began with a bang, guiding the Wildcats to their seventh national championship in his very first season in 1998. The following decade saw him lead the team to at least 22 victories each year, capture five Southeastern Conference regular‑season titles and five SEC Tournament championships, and cement his reputation as a winner.
The induction ceremony will take place on October 22, 2026, at the College Basketball Experience in Kansas City, Missouri, where Smith will be joined by an illustrious group that includes coaches Jay Wright and Ted Owens, BYU star Danny Ainge, Michigan’s Glen Rice, and the late UCLA legend Walt Hazzard.
Kevin Henderson, CEO of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, praised the 2026 class for their lasting contributions, noting that their stories continue to shape the sport’s rich narrative.