An average of 10 players are inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame each year. Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade are among the 2023 inductees.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is named after the inventor of the sport, Dr. James Naismith. He invented the sport in 1891 and was honored with an induction into the Hall in 1959 as a contributor.
The first-ever Hall of Fame inductees were the Class of 1959, and since then, there has been a total of 448 formal inductions, including the most recent Class of 2023.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The facility was opened on February 17, 1968. The facility has witnessed 40 inductees from the Boston Celtics, the most in its history.
Every player wishes to be inducted into the Hall once they retire, and not every player can achieve that. Only the greatest of players, coaches, referees, and contributors with extraordinary skills and achievements are honored.
How Many NBA Players Are In The Hall of Fame?
Hall of Fame basketball has inducted 178 NBA players since the inaugural class of 1959. Out of these, 111 players have played in the NBA.
These players are inducted into the Hall of Fame for a reason. They are among the best who have played in the NBA and have achieved greatness as individuals on the court.
Nathaniel Clifton’s classification is somewhat tricky. Although he is a Hall of Famer (2014), he was inducted as a contributor but has been listed as a player inductee. There has been no clear outcome regarding his induction category.
George Mikan was the first-ever NBA player inductee into the Hall of Fame in 1959. He played for the Chicago American Gears of the NBL and the Minnesota Lakers (now Los Angeles Lakers) in his career.
NBA players inducted into the Hall of Fame
| 2023 | Dwayne Wade, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki |
| 2022 | Sonny Boswell, Albert “Runt” Pullins, Manu Ginóbili, Tim Hardway, Lou Hudson, Inman Jackson, Radivoj “Zucko” Korac, |
| 2021 | Chris Bosh, Bob Dandridge, Toni Kukoc, Paul Pierce, Ben Wallace, Chris Webber |
| 2020 | Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett |
| 2019 | Carl Braun, Charles Cooper, Vlade Divac, Bobby Jones, Sidney Moncrief, Jack Sikma, Paul Westphal |
| 2018 | Ray Allen, Maurice Cheeks, Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Dino Rada, Charles Scott, |
| 2017 | George McGinnis, Tracy McGrady |
| 2016 | Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal, Zelmo Beaty, Yao Ming |
| 2015 | Jo Jo White, Dikembe Mutombo, Spencer Haywood, Louie Dampier |
| 2014 | Guy Rodgers, Mitch Richmond, Alonzo Mourning, Sarunas Marciulionis |
| 2013 | Richie Guerin, Gary Payton, Bernard King |
| 2012 | Jamaal Wilkes, Chet Walker, Ralph Sampson, Reggie Miller, Mel Daniels |
| 2011 | Artis Gilmore, Arvydas Sabonis, Chris Mullin, Dennis Rodman |
| 2010 | Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, Gus Johnson, Dennis Johnson |
| 2009 | John Stockton, David Robinson, Michael Jordan |
| 2008 | Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Adrian Dantley |
| 2006 | Dominique Wilkins, Joe Dumars, Charles Barkley |
| 2004 | Maurice Stokes, Clyde Drexler |
| 2003 | James Worthy, Robert Parish |
| 2002 | Drazen Petrovic, Magic Johnson |
| 2001 | Moses Malone |
| 2000 | Isiah Thomas, Bob McAdoo |
| 1999 | Kevin McHale |
| 1998 | Arnie Risen, Larry Bird |
| 1997 | Bailey Howell, Alex English |
| 1996 | George Yardley, David Thompson, Gail Goodrich, George Gervin |
| 1995 | Vern Mikkelsen, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1993 | Bill Walton, Calvin Murphy, Dick McGuire, Dan Issel, Julius Erving, Walt Bellamy |
| 1992 | Bob Lanier, Connie Hawkins |
| 1991 | Harry Gallatin, Dave Cowens, Nate Archibald |
| 1990 | Earl Monroe, Neil Johnston, Elvin Hayes, Dave Bing |
NBA Hall of Fame Criteria
The criteria to be considered for the NBA Hall of Fame as a player are:
- A player must have retired for four full seasons to become eligible for induction
- The player will only be eligible for enshrinement once he finishes the four years of retirement and is in the fifth year.
In order to become eligible for induction as a coach:
- Retired for four seasons
- Minimum of 25 years (if active)
- Will be eligible in the sixth year of retirement or the 26th year if still active.
The criteria for the referees to be inducted into the Hall of Fame are:
- Retired for four seasons
- If still active, a minimum of 25 years
- Will be eligible in the sixth year of retirement and if still active, then will be eligible in the 26th year.
Those who are being inducted into the contributors’ category can be inducted at any given time.
The only criteria that they have are that they must have made “significant contributions to the game” which will be decided by the Election Process Committee and the Contributor Direct-Elect-Committee.
Basketball Hall of Fame Induction 2023
2023 NBA Hall of Fame class has Dwayne Wade, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, and Dirk Nowitzki. They are all inducted as players.
Becky Hammon is the only player from the WNBA to be inducted in 2023 as a player. She too becomes a member of the elite group of legends and has her contributions to the sport be recognized.
The five latest inductees have all had an illustrious career and have contributed a lot toward the sport. They have all been instrumental in making basketball what it is today and their legacy will forever be lived.
In addition to these five players, there were five more induction in 2023 as coaches. They are:
- Gene Bess
- Gary Blair
- David Hixon
- Gregg Popovich
- Gene Keady
Another inductee in 2023 is a former college basketball player, coach, and broadcaster Jim Valvano. He was inducted as a contributor. Another addition is the 1976 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball team that won silver at the Olympics. They are inducted in the team category.
Dwayne Wade
The SG/PG has had an outstanding career in the NBA having won three NBA championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013. He has achieved many accolades in his 16-year career that started in 2003 as the 5th overall pick.
- NBA Finals MVP (2006)
- 13-time NBA All-Star (2005-2016, 2019)
- NBA All-Star MVP (2010)
- NBA scoring champion (2009)
- 23,165 career points (22.0 PPG)
- Olympic Gold (2008)
Pau Gasol
The Spanish PF/Center is one of the greatest players to have graced the basketball court. Pau Gasol was the 3rd overall pick and has always been one of the fan favorites for almost two decades.
- NBA championships (2009, 2010)
- 6-time NBA All-Star (2006, 2009-2011, 2015-2016)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2002)
- FIBA World Cup MVP (2006)
- FIBA World Cup Top Scorer (2014)
- FIBA World Cup (2006)
Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon became the first Russian national to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player. The former Liberty and Stars player is a head coach for the Las Vegas Aces since 2022.
- 6-time WNBA All-Star (2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2011)
- WNBA assists leader (2007)
- WNBA championship (2022 as head coach)
- Commissioner’s Cup championship (2022 as head coach)
- WNBA Coach of the Year (2022)
Tony Parker
Tony Parker spent the majority of his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs and played for the Charlotte Hornets in his final year. The point guard is one of the greatest passers in the history of the sport and a living legend.
- NBA championship (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
- NBA Finals MVP (2007)
- 6-time NBA All-Star (2006-2007, 2009, 2012-2014)
- 19,473 career points (15.5 PPG) and 7,036 assists (5.6 APG)
Dirk Nowitzki
Hall of Fame NBA Dirk Nowitzki is among the greatest European players of all time. He spent 21 years with the Dallas Mavericks winning everything.
- NBA champion (2011)
- NBA Finals MVP (2011)
- NBA MVP (2007)
- 14-time NBA All-Star (2002-2012, 2014-2015, 2019)
- NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2006)
- FIBA World Cup MVP (2002)
- FIBA World Cup Top Scorer (2002, 2006)
- 31,560 career points (20.7 PPG) and 11,489 rebounds (7.5 RPG)
NBA Hall of Fame List By Year
Basketball Hall of Fame list has Dwayne Wade and Pau Gasol in 2023. Manu Ginóbili and Tim Hardway in 2022 and Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce in 2021.
Since the beginning of the Hall of Fame in basketball, numerous individuals have been honored for their contributions and excellence in the sport.
The following is the list of NBA Hall of Fame by year of induction as a player:
2022 – 10
- Swin Cash
- Theresa Grentz
- Lindsay Whalen
- Sonny Boswell
- Albert “Runt” Pullins
- Manu Ginóbili
- Tim Hardway
- Lou Hudson
- Inman Jackson
- Radivoj “Zucko” Korac
2021 – 10
- Yolanda Griffith
- Lauren Jackson
- Pearl Moore
- Chris Bosh
- Bob Dandridge
- Toni Kukoc
- Paul Pierce
- Ben Wallace
- Chris Webber
- Clarence Jenkins
2020 – 4
- Tamika Catchings
- Kobe Bryant
- Tim Duncan
- Kevin Garnett
2019 – 8
- Teresa Weatherspoon
- Carl Braun
- Charles Cooper
- Vlade Divac
- Bobby Jones
- Sidney Moncrief
- Jack Sikma
- Paul Westphal
2018 – 10
- Katie Smith
- Tina Thompson
- Ora Mae Washington
- Ray Allen
- Maurice Cheeks
- Grant Hill
- Jason Kidd
- Steve Nash
- Dino Radja
- Charles Scott
2017 – 4
- Nick Galis
- Zachary Clayton
- George McGinnis
- Tracy McGrady
2016 – 6
- Sheryl Swoopes
- Cumberland Posey
- Allen Iverson
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Zelmo Beaty
- Yao Ming
2015 – 6
- Lisa Leslie
- John Isaacs
- Jo Jo White
- Dikembe Mutombo
- Spencer Haywood
- Louie Dampier
2014 – 5
- Nathaniel Clifton
- Guy Rodgers
- Mitch Richmond
- Alonzo Mourning
- Sarunas Marciulionis
2013 – 6
- Dawn Staley
- Roger Brown
- Oscar Schmidt
- Richie Guerin
- Gary Payton
- Bernard King