PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Sources say a Phoenix Suns star will receive his orange jacket as he’s inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, alongside other players who changed the game of basketball.
ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania shared on X that Amar’e Stoudemire will be among several members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Other inductees reportedly include Candance Parker, Elena Delle Donne and Doc Rivers.
Amar’e Stoudemire, Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne and Doc Rivers are among the members inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/6oPR2gBgtE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 31, 2026
Stoudemire was drafted as the ninth pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Suns, the only high school player taken in the first round that year. In his rookie season, Stoudemire averaged over 13 points and nearly nine rebounds a game, earning Rookie of the Year honors. He also became the first player out of high school to win the award.
In the Suns 2004-2005 season, Stoudemire teamed up with Steve Nash, who became an unstoppable duo. Stoudemire earned his first All-Star honors, and the two led the Suns to the Western Conference Finals.
During his 14-year NBA tenure with the Suns, Knicks, Mavericks and Heat, Stoudemire earned six All-Star honors.
Stoudemire’s iconic No. 32 was retired by the team, and he was inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor.
Former Phoenix Suns’ Amare Stoudemire during his Ring of Honor ceremony during halftime of the Phoenix Suns-Houston Rockets the NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Saturday, March. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)(Darryl Webb | AP)
Stoudemire will join the list of former Suns players etched into Hall of Fame history, including Charles Barkley, Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, Vince Carter, Paul Westphal, Jason Kidd, Charlie Scott, Gus Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Grant Hill, Connie Hawkins and Gail Goodrich.
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