Naismith Basketball HOF Announces Eligible Candidates for Class of 2025

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This past Thursday, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced eligible candidates for the class of 2025. Notable first-time nominees include:

Carmelo Anthony

Before entering the NBA, Carmelo Anthony had already made a name for himself. A McDonald’s All-American in 2002, Anthony would lead Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship beating the Kansas Jayhawks. Melo would head into the draft as NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, USBWA National Freshman of the Year, and Consensus second-team All-American.

Drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Anthony would immediately have an impact on the team and in the league. He would lead the Nuggets to seven straight playoff appearances before requesting a trade to the New York Knicks. Following the Knicks trade in the 2010-11 season, Melo would spend six seasons with the Knicks, in addition to time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers, and Los Angeles Lakers before retiring after the 2021-22 season.

In 1,260 regular season games, Melo would finish with 28,289 points, 7,808 rebounds, and 3,422 assists. Melo’s list of NBA accomplishments is among the best. He would be a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, a scoring champion, and a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team. He is also one of the best U.S. Olympic players of all time, having three gold medals and a bronze medal. Melo would also be a part of the U.S. teams that would win a bronze medal in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and gold in the 2007 FIBA AmeriCup.

Sue Bird

One of the most decorated women’s basketball players of all time, Sue Bird’s impact on the game cannot be understated. During her college career with UConn, Bird would lead the Huskies to championships in 2000 and 2002. By the time she finished her career at UConn, Bird would be a three-time Nancy Lieberman award winner, a Wade Trophy Winner, AP College Player of the Year in 2002, Big East Player of the Year in 2002, and Naismith College Player of the Year in 2002, just to name a few college accomplishments.

The first overall draft pick of the 2002 WNBA Draft, Bird would spend her entire WNBA career with the Seattle Storm. Bird would lead the Storm to four championships in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020. She is a 13-time WNBA All-Star, eight-time All-WNBA, three-time assists leader, and a member of all four WNBA Anniversary teams. Bird finished her WNBA Career with 6,803 points, 1,466 rebounds, and 3,234 assists. Her No.10 jersey has been retired by the Storm.

Outside of the WNBA, Bird’s resume only continues to show how dominant and influential of a player she is. She is a five-time Russian League Champion, a five-time EuroLeague Champion, and a two-time Europe SuperCup Winner. Representing the United States, Bird has 10 medals to her name. In the FIBA Women’s World Cup, she has four gold medals and one bronze medal. In the Olympics, she has five gold medals.

Maya Moore

Another highly decorated women’s basketball player, Maya Moore would leave an impact across college, the WNBA, and the international stage. Playing for UConn from 2007-2011, Moore led the Huskies to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. She would leave UConn with numerous awards including three Wade trophies, two AP College Player of the Year Awards, and two Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year awards.

In the WNBA, the 2010s would be dominated by Moore and the Minnesota Lynx. Drafted first overall in the 2011 WNBA Draft, Moore would immediately lead the Lynx to their first of four championships in her rookie year. Championships would follow in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Moore retired with WNBA career averages of 18.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 3.3 APG. She would leave the WNBA with numerous accomplishments including an MVP, a Finals MVP, a six-time All-Star, a seven-time All-WNBA, and a two-time member of the All-WNBA Defensive team.

On the international stage, Moore would be a two-time Women’s EuroLeague Champion, a three-time Women’s Chinese Basketball Association Champion, and a Liga Fememina champion. She also has two Olympic gold medals, two FIBA World Cup gold medals, and one World University Games gold medal.

Dwight Howard

One of the last players to come out of high school and go directly to the NBA, Dwight Howard’s career and accomplishments have been overlooked by many. He was recognized as the Naismith Prep Player of the Year in 2004 as well as Mr. Georgia Basketball and Co-MVP of the McDonalds All-American Game in 2004.

The first overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft, Howard would make an immediate impact as one of the league’s best big men. While he would lead the Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009, he would not see championship success during his stint in Orlando. He would spend the second half of his NBA career playing for teams including the Los Angeles Lakers (three separate stints), Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards. Howard won his only NBA Championship as a part of the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers.

Howard finished his NBA career with numerous accolades in addition to his championship including eight All-Star appearances, eight All-NBA appearances, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, five rebounding championships, and two blocked shots championships. On the international stage, Howard has one Olympic gold medal, one FIBA World Cup bronze medal, and one FIBA AmeriCup gold medal.

Other eligible candidates for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 include

Doc Rivers (COA), Marc Gasol*, the 2008 United States Olympic Team, Billy Donovan* (COA) Amar’e Stoudemire*, Sylvia Fowles*, Chamique Holdsclaw*, and Danny Crawford (REF).

*Denotes first-time nominees