Introduction to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Two Sky greats will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame next summer. Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne headline the 2026 class announced Thursday.
The Legacy of Candace Parker
Parker, a Naperville native, won championships with the Sparks (2016), Sky (2021) and Aces (2023), along with two league MVP awards (2008, 2013). Her style — a power forward who could play inside and out — helped set the league on its current path, now dominated by bigs with that kind of versatility. After a long run with the Sparks, she led the Sky to their first and only championship in 2021 and to their best regular-season record in 2022.
Parker’s Connection to Chicago
“The city of Chicago, Naperville, across the board is just so special,” Parker said at her retirement ceremony in Chicago. “If you come back, to me that says a lot more. I went away, I grew, I saw what the world had to offer, but I wanted to come back. There is nothing like Chicago sports.”
The Impact of Elena Delle Donne
Delle Donne, another versatile forward, is arguably the best draft pick in Sky history. Selected second overall in 2013, she won two MVP awards and led the Sky to a WNBA Finals appearance in her second season. After requesting a trade out of Chicago, she became the first WNBA player to join the 50/40/90 club during her 2019 MVP season with the Mystics, shooting 50% from the field, 40% from three and 90% from the line.
Legacies Beyond Chicago
Though both Parker and Delle Donne left their marks in Chicago, much of their legacies were made elsewhere. Delle Donne went on to win a championship with the Mystics in 2019, while Parker spent most of her career with the Sparks before finishing in Las Vegas.
Post-Playing Careers
Both the Sky and Sparks retired Parker’s jersey during the 2025 season. She now serves as president of Adidas Women’s Basketball and co-hosts a podcast with Fever star Aliyah Boston.
Parker’s New Perspective
“I love basketball so much that it’s really scary when you’re transitioning and you’re putting the ball down,” Parker said. “[What I do now] is a different perspective, but it’s still fueled by the same love of the game.”
The 2026 Hall of Fame Class
The 2026 Hall of Fame class also includes Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve; international stars Isabelle Fijalkowski and Amaya Valdemoro; former Clemson All-American Barbara Kennedy-Dixon; Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl; and ESPN announcer Doris Burke.
Conclusion
The induction of Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the sport. Their legacies continue to inspire future generations of players and fans alike.
FAQs
Q: When will Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame?
A: They will be inducted in the summer of 2026.
Q: What teams did Candace Parker win championships with?
A: She won championships with the Sparks (2016), Sky (2021), and Aces (2023).
Q: What is the 50/40/90 club that Elena Delle Donne achieved?
A: It means shooting 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the line in a single season.
