Former Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni is headed to the Basketball Hall of Fame after a career that helped redefine offensive strategy.
HOUSTON — Former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni is headed to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, adding another milestone to a career that helped reshape how basketball is played.
D’Antoni is part of the 2026 Hall of Fame class that includes Candace Parker, Amar’e Stoudemire, Elena Delle Donne, Doc Rivers, Mark Few, Joey Crawford and Chamique Holdsclaw.
D’Antoni influenced the sport with his uptempo philosophy that redefined offensive strategy. Over his career, he totaled nearly 1,200 wins and was named NBA Coach of the Year twice.
He served as the head coach of the Rockets from 2016–2020.
His impact was especially felt during his time with the Phoenix Suns, where he coached Stoudemire during the early years of his career.
“It means everything from a basketball point of view,” Stoudemire told The Associated Press. “When you look back at my career not only as a pro, but even high school and, and nationally, and since I was a kid playing the game of basketball. I love the game. You play the game because you love it, and then you work to become the best you can possibly be, despite circumstances, and to get into the Hall of Fame, it shows that the voters appreciate it. And now we’re enshrined forever.”
D’Antoni was in attendance Friday night when members of the Hall of Fame class were honored during the women’s Final Four.
The enshrinement ceremony is scheduled to take place in August at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
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