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On World Basketball Day, FIBA is proud to announce the Hall of Fame Class of 2026, paying tribute to legendary figures whose contributions have shaped the global game. A total of seven players and one coach are being recognized for their stellar individual contributions to the sport. Members of the Class of 2026 will be honored at an enshrinement ceremony on April 21 in Berlin. Hoops icons Dirk Nowitzki of Germany and Sue Bird of USA headline the group of new inductees. Nowitzki, the MVP of both the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2002 in Indianapolis and EuroBasket 2005 in Belgrade, represented his country in FIBA competitions for two decades. He started with the youth teams in 1995, before leading the senior team at numerous tournaments until 2015.
Carmelo Anthony learned tough lessons coming of age playing basketball on playgrounds in Brooklyn and Baltimore. It culminated with him becoming one of the sports’ purest scorers and most decorated players ever. Walking onto the stage for his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday to chants of “Melo! Melo,” Anthony took his place alongside basketball’s immortals. “Pardon my language, but damn,” Anthony said, tearing up. “Tonight I just don’t step into the Hall of Fame, I carry the echoes of every voice that ever told me I couldn’t. … I had to build a new road. I had to write a new ending.” Anthony was part of a quintet of players that were inducted into the Hall on Saturday as individuals, joining Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles. Together they were part of 11 WNBA or NBA championship teams, captured 15 Olympic gold medals, made 37 All-NBA or All-WNBA appearances and were named as All-Stars 45 times in their careers. “I never got an NBA ring. … But I know what I gave to the game,” Anthony said.
WNBA viewership has continued to grow despite Caitlin Clark missing the majority of the season, but it’s still clear that she drives the most eyeballs to the sport. Clark admitted to WNBA legend Sue Bird that she feels a level of “responsibility” to play. Clark spoke to Bird on an episode of The Bird’s Eye View podcast released Friday. Bird asked the Indiana Fever star how she manages her patience, knowing that while viewership and attendance are up across the W, there is a noticeable dip when she is out. “I think that’s definitely been hard. I’m going to go to every road game no matter what, whether I’m playing or not. It’s hard because obviously I do feel this responsibility of being out there and playing,” Clark said.
The Seattle Storm, in partnership with Climate Pledge Arena, announced today that a statue honoring WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Sue Bird will be unveiled on Sunday, August 17, at 10:00 a.m. The Storm is the first franchise in WNBA history to dedicate a statue to a former player.
Move over Lenny Wilkens, there’s another Seattle sports star coming to the neighborhood. Storm legend Sue Bird will be honored with a statue on Aug. 17 that will stand on the west plaza of Climate Pledge Arena next to the Wilkens statue, which was unveiled Saturday afternoon. “Lenny Wilkens’ legacy in this city is undeniable — he helped lay the foundation for Seattle’s deep love of the game,” Storm President and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. “Both Lenny and Sue have brought home championships, inspired generations and helped shape Seattle into the incredible basketball city that it is today. “The Storm are honored to be part of this monumental moment for Lenny, and we can’t wait to celebrate Sue and all that she’s meant to our city when we unveil her statue later this summer.”
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Last year, she joined the Storm ownership group as a minority investor and in May was named the first managing director of the USA Basketball women’s team. On Sept. 5-6, Bird will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. “Basketball has given me more than I can ever give back, but like everyone before me, I’ve tried to leave it in a better place,” Bird said two weeks ago in Knoxville, Tenn., when she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. “I hope I’ve shown young girls they can be fierce competitors and gracious teammates. That they can be strong and vulnerable. That they can lead and listen. And that they can pursue their dreams relentlessly, while lifting others up along the way.”
On ESPN's special broadcast of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament featuring Bird and Diana Taurasi, they had Jalen Suggs as a guest and asked him who the most challenging matchup he's had to deal with in the NBA. Suggs mentioned the Warriors star, prompting Bird to say that Curry must be mentioned among the greatest to ever do it — a debate that mostly revolves around LeBron James and Michael Jordan. “He should be up there with LeBron and Jordan,” Bird said, via NBA on ESPN on X (formerly Twitter).
Shams Charania: WNBA legends: Sue Bird and Maya Moore have been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025, sources tell ESPN. Bird: 13 WNBA All-Star teams, four championships. Moore: four-time champion, six-time All-Star.
Shams Charania: 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Danny Crawford, 2008 U.S. Olympic men's team, Billy Donovan, Micky Arison.
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Ben Golliver: 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame finalists - Carmelo Anthony - Sylvia Fowles - Billy Donovan - Jerry Welsh - Tal Brody - Maya Moore - Dwight Howard - Sue Bird - Micky Arison - Mark Few - Jennifer Azzi - Buck Williams - Molly Bolin - Marques Johnson - Danny Crawford - Dusan Ivkovic - 2008 Olympic Redeem Team
Clemente Almanza: The Basketball Hall of Fame announced the list of eligible candidates for the Class of 2025 Candidates include Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Dwight Howard, Doc Rivers, Billy Donovan, Sylvia Fowles, Chamique Holdsclaw, Mark Few, Lisa Bluder, Marc Gasol, Micky Arison
Tim Reynolds: LeBron James selected as Team USA's male flagbearer for Friday's Paris Olympics opening ceremony. James is the third U.S. basketball player to get the honor, joining Dawn Staley (2004) and Sue Bird (2021). pic.twitter.com/7wzX3EV3Z4
Force 10 Hoops, owners of the Seattle Storm, is pleased to announce that WNBA legend Sue Bird, has joined the ownership group. Sue’s illustrious playing career spanned over 20 seasons with the Storm and included four WNBA championships, 13 All-Star Game appearances, eight All-WNBA teams, and five Olympic gold medals. “We are thrilled to welcome Sue into the ownership group after a storied career on the court,” said Seattle Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel. “Her knowledge of the game and the league, her ever-expanding business acumen, and her dedication to the Storm organization, make her a superb addition to the ownership group.”