On Saturday, a new distinguished group of individuals will be formally inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying their place among the sport`s greatest legends. This year`s class includes renowned men`s basketball figures such as Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard. From the women`s game, the ceremony will honor a legendary trio: Maya Moore, Sue Bird, and Sylvia Fowles. The inductees also extend beyond players to include former collegiate and NBA coach Billy Donovan, the entire iconic 2008 USA Men`s National Team, and Miami Heat owner Micky Arison.
Ceremony Details and Broadcast Information
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 6th, at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the event live on NBA TV, or stream it via Fubo.
Ahead of the ceremony, here`s a breakdown of five key players receiving this prestigious honor.
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, and member of the NBA`s 75th Anniversary Team, boasts a career filled with accolades across his collegiate, professional, and Olympic journeys. His solitary season at Syracuse University was nothing short of legendary. Arriving as one of the nation`s top recruits, Anthony dominated his freshman year, averaging 22.2 points and 10 rebounds, leading Syracuse to a national championship and earning numerous individual honors. Such was his impact that he was ranked among the top college basketball players of the last quarter-century.
Anthony transitioned his formidable skills to the NBA, joining the Denver Nuggets as the third overall pick in the 2003 draft. Over 19 seasons, playing for teams including the Nuggets, Knicks, Thunder, Rockets, Trail Blazers, and Lakers, he amassed career averages of 22.5 points and 6.2 rebounds. While an NBA championship eluded him, Anthony found immense success on the international stage, securing four Olympic medals with Team USA. He holds the record for most points scored in a single game for Team USA (37) and is one of only three players, alongside LeBron James and Kevin Durant, to earn four Olympic medals.
Dwight Howard
In the past 25 years, few traditional centers rivaled Dwight Howard`s dominance, with Shaquille O`Neal being a notable exception. After leaping directly from high school to the NBA in 2004, Howard was the top overall pick by the Orlando Magic and quickly established himself as a prolific double-double threat. He stands as the sole player in NBA history to win Defensive Player of the Year three times consecutively, in addition to being an eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, and a five-time rebounding champion. Many casual NBA fans also recognize Howard for his spectacular Slam Dunk Contest appearances, notably winning in 2008 with his iconic `Superman` dunk.
Howard`s career was marked by both triumphs and challenges. He finally achieved the pinnacle of NBA success during his second tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, securing a championship in the 2020 Orlando bubble. Furthermore, he earned an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, famously known as the `Redeem Team.`
Maya Moore
Maya Moore`s unparalleled success across all levels of basketball, both men`s and women`s, is truly remarkable. Her list of achievements is extensive, highlighting her dominance on and off the court. Key accolades include:
- Four-time WNBA Champion
- Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist
- Two-time NCAA Champion
- Two-time EuroLeague Champion
- WNBA MVP
- WNBA Finals MVP
- Six-time WNBA All-Star
- Five-time All-WNBA First Team selection
- WNBA Rookie of the Year
- Member of the WNBA 20th and 25th Anniversary Teams
This impressive list represents only a fraction of her total honors. What makes Moore`s professional career particularly astonishing is that she achieved all of this in just eight years, winning a championship in half of her WNBA seasons. Such a feat is incredibly rare, with perhaps only Bill Russell`s record of 11 titles in 13 years coming to mind for comparable sustained excellence.
Having achieved virtually everything possible in basketball, Moore stepped away from the sport in 2019 to dedicate herself to criminal justice reform. What began as a hiatus ultimately led to her official retirement in January 2023. Throughout her playing career and especially during her time away, Moore emerged as a significant activist. Her advocacy was instrumental in the release of Jonathan Irons, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and served 22 years of a 50-year sentence; he is now her husband. In August 2024, the Minnesota Lynx honored her legacy by retiring her No. 23 jersey.
Sue Bird
Sue Bird stands as one of the most recognizable figures in women`s basketball, with a storied career spanning collegiate and professional levels. A four-time WNBA champion and two-time NCAA champion, Bird`s longevity is exceptional; she spent all 21 of her WNBA seasons with the Seattle Storm. She holds the unique distinction of being the only WNBA player to win a championship across three different decades and completed an entire season at the age of 41 in 2022, making her the oldest player to do so. Bird is the WNBA`s all-time leader in games played (580) and assists (3,234), and she ranks ninth in total career points.
Bird holds the record for most WNBA All-Star selections, is second all-time in three-pointers made, and ranks in the top 10 for steals, fewest turnovers, and field goals made. While an MVP award eluded her, her invaluable leadership was undeniably central to the Seattle Storm`s four championship victories.
Sylvia Fowles
Sylvia Fowles, with four Defensive Player of the Year awards, joins Tamika Catchings (5) as the only players in WNBA history to achieve this feat four or more times. Throughout her 15-year career, Fowles solidified her reputation as one of the league`s most formidable centers. She stands second all-time in rebounds and fourth in blocks. Her impressive resume also includes two WNBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, a league MVP title, 11 All-Defensive team selections, and eight All-Star appearances.
Fowles was a consistent presence on the U.S. Women`s Olympic team, contributing to five gold medal victories. Alongside Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus, she formed a dominant trio that led the Minnesota Lynx to multiple championships. Her No. 34 jersey has been retired by both the Lynx and her alma mater, LSU, where she was a two-time All-American, earning SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in her senior season.
