While the Hall of Fame always mixes professional and international greatness, this year’s finalists showcase a strong college basketball backbone. From sideline legends who built national contenders to contributors who reshaped the sport’s style of play, the 2026 class conversation runs straight through campus gyms and Final Four runs.
Here’s why this year’s ballot feels especially meaningful for the college basketball world.
Mark Few and the mid-major blueprint
Mark Few has spent more than two decades turning Gonzaga into a national brand. What began as a respected mid-major program evolved into a perennial Final Four threat and No. 1 seed contender.
Few’s consistency is staggering. Year after year, Gonzaga has been in the NCAA Tournament mix, often contending for a national title. His ability to recruit internationally, develop pros and maintain continuity in an ever-shifting college landscape has made him one of the most influential coaches of his era. His candidacy represents sustained excellence at the college level.
Kelvin Sampson’s long road back
Kelvin Sampson is another college pillar on this ballot. After rebuilding his career, Sampson transformed Houston into a defensive juggernaut and national contender.
His teams are defined by toughness, rebounding and relentless pressure. Multiple deep NCAA Tournament runs and a return to the national spotlight have reestablished him as one of the game’s elite tacticians. Sampson’s presence among the finalists highlights not only competitive success but also longevity and resilience in the sport.
Architects of modern offense
While the ballot includes several NBA names, few have influenced the college game more stylistically than Mike D'Antoni in the contributor category.
D’Antoni’s pace-and-space philosophy reshaped professional basketball, but its ripple effects have been undeniable at the college level. Today’s up-tempo offenses, heavy three-point volume and positionless concepts are part of a broader evolution that mirrors his influence.
The ballot also includes respected officials and global contributors, reinforcing how interconnected the college and international games have become.
A bridge between eras
The 2026 finalist class underscores how college basketball remains the foundation of the sport’s growth. From Hall of Fame-level coaching résumés to program builders and innovators, this ballot reads like a timeline of the modern NCAA era.
The final inductees will be announced during NCAA Final Four weekend in April, with enshrinement set for August in Springfield, Massachusetts.
For college basketball fans, this class is more than a list of names. It is a reminder of the coaches and visionaries who shaped March memories, built blueprints for sustained success and left fingerprints all over the game we watch today.