Amar'e Stoudemire became the only NBA inductee in this year's Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class, while the WNBA stars Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne and Chamique Holdsclaw take the spotlight. The Hall rules state that players must be fully retired for three seasons before eligibility, setting the stage for a deeper class over the next three years as legends like LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant remain active.

Among the 11 players on the waiting list, Marcus Aldridge stands out with more than 20,000 points and 8,000 rebounds, matching the elite 20k/8k club. His career averages—19.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG—mirror Stoudemire’s, yet he never captured a ring. Pau Gasol—a 2019 NBA champion—has a résumé that includes a Defensive Player of the Year award, three All‑Star selections and multiple international medals, positioning him as a future Hall inductee. Blake Griffin, who earned Rookie of the Year and six All‑Star nods, also fits the bill, though his résumé lacks a championship. Andre Iguodala’s four championships and a 2016 Finals MVP give him a strong case. Joe Johnson’s 20,000‑point, five‑thousand‑rebounds, five‑thousand‑assists club and Kyle Lowry’s 16,000 points, 7,000 assists, six All‑Star appearances reinforce their eligibility. Shawn Marion, a versatile forward, also remains on the radar, highlighted by his contributions to the Suns’ “Seven Seconds or Less” era.