The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced that former Washington Mystics stars Elena Delle Donne and Chamique Holdsclaw will be inducted as part of the Class of 2026, recognizing two of the most impactful careers in women’s basketball.
Delle Donne built a remarkable 10-year career, including six seasons with the Washington Mystics. She made history as the first WNBA player to win MVP with two different teams and played a key role in leading Washington to its first championship in 2019. That same year, she joined the elite 50-40-90 shooting club. A seven-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, she was also named among the league’s 25 greatest players. Since retiring in 2025, she has remained involved in the sport through leadership roles with both Monumental Basketball and USA Basketball.
Holdsclaw, one of the league’s early stars, was selected first overall in the 1999 WNBA Draft and quickly made her mark by winning Rookie of the Year. Before her professional career, she led the University of Tennessee to three consecutive NCAA championships. Over 11 seasons, she became a six-time All-Star, a scoring champion, and one of the league’s top rebounders. She also won an Olympic gold medal in 2000 and earned recognition for her leadership and community impact.
Both players left a lasting legacy with the Mystics—Delle Donne as a championship leader and Holdsclaw as a foundational figure in the franchise’s early years.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class also includes notable names such as Candace Parker, Amar’e Stoudemire, and coach Doc Rivers, along with the historic 1996 United States Women’s National Team.
