Six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin and two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker are among the notable first-time nominees for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n
Griffin rose to stardom after going first overall to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009. His jaw-dropping athleticism and highlight-reel dunks headlined the Clippers’ “Lob City” era, during which they made six straight playoff appearances.<\/p>\n
Griffin won the 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year award after sitting out the previous campaign with a knee injury. He was a five-time All-NBA selection and sits second on the Clippers’ all-time scoring list.<\/p>\n
Parker was also a top draft selection following a standout collegiate career with Tennessee. She spent most of her WNBA career with the Los Angeles Sparks, winning Finals MVP honors during the team’s 2016 title run.<\/p>\n
Parker led the WNBA in rebounding on three occasions and tallied the most blocks twice. She was a seven-time All-Star, 10-time All-WNBA selection, and two-time WNBA All-Defensive second-team member.<\/p>\n
Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, and Elena Delle Donne are the other new players to make the shortlist.<\/p>\n
Ex-Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl and current Houston lead man Kelvin Sampson are the only additional coaches who will receive consideration for this year’s Hall of Fame class.<\/p>\n
Mike D’Antoni, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, earned his first nomination as a contributor.<\/p>\n
The 1996 U.S. women’s basketball team is also newly eligible for induction.<\/p>\n