LVFLs Candace Parker and Chamique Holdsclaw named to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Tennessee women’s basketball legends Candace Parker and Chamique Holdsclaw are two of the nine inductees in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.

Holdsclaw was a six-time WNBA All-Star after being selected with the top overall pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft. The 1999 Rookie of the Year helped lead the Lady Vols to three consecutive national titles from 1996 to 1998.

Holdsclaw is a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and was a two-time recipient of the Naismith College Player of the Year award.

“It’s been such a journey from New York City, Queens, with dreams of being on the big stage,” Holdsclaw said. “Going to the University of Tennessee, and playing for Coach Pat Summitt. To go into the Hall of Fame with my sister, my friend Candace Parker is, oh, my God, just an unbelievable thing.”

Candace Parker won three WNBA titles during her playing career, earning league MVP honors twice.

At Tennessee, Parker won national championships in 2007 and 2008. She also won two Olympic gold medals.

“Chamique Holdsclaw. I was inspired by her and went to Tennessee because of her,” said Parker. “All the men that uplifted our game before it was cool. So I’m just grateful for the opportunity that I got a chance to play basketball. So just continuing to lean in and pour into the game. I plan to come back for many years to come to continue to grow the game.”

In addition to Holdsclaw and Parker, the 1996 United States Women’s National team is being inducted. The team features Oak Ridge native Jennifer Azzi and Tennessee alums Nikki McCray and Carla McGhee.

Enshrinement festivities will take place on August 14 and 15 in Springfield, Massachusetts.