Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Announces 2025 Finalists

By Tiffany Williams –

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame proudly announced on Friday during the NBA All-Star Weekend 2025 the selection of 17 distinguished Finalists from various committees, including North American, Women’s, Men’s Veterans, Women’s Veterans, International, and Contributors. Each of these committees plays a vital role in recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport of basketball.

The Finalists will be submitted to the Honors Committee, which is responsible for the final selection process, to determine which candidates will be inducted into the prestigious Class of 2025. 

The public reveal of this new class is slated to take place in San Antonio on Saturday, April 5, during the highly-anticipated NCAA Men’s Final Four, a weekend known for its celebration of collegiate basketball talent.

North American Committee Finalists (in alphabetical order):

2008 US Olympic Men’s Basketball Team

Carmelo Anthony [Player]

Danny Crawford [Referee]

Billy Donovan [Coach]

Mark Few [Coach]

Dwight Howard [Player]

Marques Johnson [Player]

Jerry Welsh [Coach]

Buck Williams [Player]

 Women’s Committee Finalists:

Jennifer Azzi [Player]

Sue Bird [Player]

Sylvia Fowles [Player]

Maya Moore [Player]

Women’s Veteran Committee Finalist:

Molly Bolin [Player]

International Committee Finalist:

Dušan Ivković [Coach]

 Contributors Committee Finalists:

Micky Arison

Tal Brody

 “Selection as a Finalist for the Class of 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is a remarkable achievement, signifying a career of excellence and lasting influence on the game,” said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “This recognition goes beyond statistics and accolades—it honors those who have defined eras, inspired generations, and elevated basketball through their talent, leadership, and dedication. Whether as players, coaches, teams, or contributors, each Finalist has left an indelible mark on the sport, and we are proud to celebrate their extraordinary impact.”

The Enshrinement Weekend festivities will kick off on Friday, September 5, at the Mohegan Sun, featuring the Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala—an event that honors both the historical and contemporary achievements in basketball. This will be followed by the Enshrinement Ceremony on Saturday, September 6, held at Springfield’s historic Symphony Hall, a venue renowned for its rich history.

For those looking to be part of this momentous occasion, VIP packages for the 2025 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend are currently available for purchase. Single-event tickets will go on sale on April 5, immediately following the announcement of the 2025 Class. For more detailed information and to secure your tickets, please visit hoophall.com/events/enshrinement-2025/. 

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to celebrate the legends of basketball!

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