From snubs to future locks: Early Basketball Hall of Fame candidates for 2027

With the Class of 2026 now enshrined after a ceremony at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, some fans are already looking ahead to next year and wondering who else will write their names in the history books.

Here's a list of basketball players and coaches that could be inducted next year after missing out this year:

Jennifer Azzi

TEAMS: Detroit Shock (1999), Utah Starzz (2000-2002), San Antonio Silver Stars (2003)

WHY SHE GETS IN: The 1990 Naismith College Player of the Year and Wade Trophy winner led Stanford to the 1990 NCAA national championship, winning the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in the process. She co-founded the American Basketball League and, once the league folded, played in the WNBA for five seasons. Azzi won an Olympic gold medal with the 1996 U.S. Women's National Team and was inducted as a member of the team on this year. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

Blake Griffin

TEAMS: Los Angeles Clippers (2010-18), Detroit Pistons (2018-21), Brooklyn Nets (2021-22), Boston Celtics (2022-23)

WHY HE GETS IN: A six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Griffin gets the nod. He was a first-time finalist, but if there’s any indication that his time is coming, look at Class of 2026 enshrinee Amar’e Stoudamire, who was a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection. Stoudamire (18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in 846 appearances) and Griffin (19.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in 765 appearances) are very similar players. Griffin was a dynamic athlete and a practical highlight reel who often had to carry poor teams. The biggest knock against him is his injury history and availability.

Penny Taylor

TEAMS: Cleveland Rockers (2001-2003), Phoenix Mercury (2004-2007, 2009-2011, 2013-2014, 2016)

WHY SHE GETS IN: Penny Taylor was steady throughout her 13 years in the WNBA. Ten of those seasons were spent with the Phoenix Mercury, where she helped lead the team to three championships (2007, 2009, 2014). During her time in the league, Taylor earned three All-Star nods, and made first-team All-WNBA in 2007 and second-team All-WNBA in 2011. She also was top 10 in field-goal percentage during three of her 10 seasons (2004, 2007, 2010).

Dick Motta

TEAMS: Chicago Bulls (1968-76), Washington Bullets (1976-80), Dallas Mavericks (1980-87; 1994-96), Sacramento Kings (1989-92), Denver Nuggets (1996-97)

WHY HE GETS IN: This is another one that feels like it’s long overdue. Motta spent 25 seasons as a head coach and amassed 935 career victories, which ranks 14th all-time. Twelve of the coaches ahead of him have been inducted into the Hall. The only other one who hasn’t is Rick Carlisle, who currently coaches the Indiana Pacers. Motta was known for turning franchises around and won an NBA championship in 1978 with the Bullets. He also influenced some of the game’s brightest minds, like Jason Kidd and Jerry Sloan, both of whom are in the Hall of Fame.

Ticha Penicheiro

TEAMS: Sacramento Monarchs (1998-2009), Los Angeles Sparks (2010-2011), Chicago Sky (2012)

WHY SHE GETS IN: Penicheiro is known for her playmaking more than her scoring, averaging 5.7 assists and 6.1 points across 15 seasons. Her court vision is what stood out. She captivated audiences with no-look passes and became known for her signature spin pass. The 5-foot-11 guard was drafted No. 2 overall by the Monarchs out of Old Dominion in 1998 and she led the WNBA in assists seven total times (1998–2003, 2010), which is tied with Courtney Vandersloot for the most in league history. She was named to four consecutive All-Star teams (1999-2002), three All-WNBA teams and a first-team All-Defensive team and helped the Monarchs win their first and only championship in 2005 before the franchise ceased operations in 2009. Penicheiro ranks second all-time in steals (764), third in assists (2,599) and holds the WNBA single-game steals record with 10 on July 10, 2003.

Jerry Welsh

TEAMS: SUNY Potsdam (1968-91), Iona (1991-95)

WHY HE GETS IN: He may get overlooked because he coached at smaller schools, but Welsh had a track record of longevity and consistency, and put SUNY Potsdam on the map. He led the Bears to NCAA Division-III championships in 1981 and 1986, and oversaw a stretch of dominance that yielded a 60-game winning streak. His ’86 squad finished a perfect 32-0 and he has been a Hall of Fame finalist each of the last two years. Welsh was a basketball lifer; prior to his stint at SUNY Potsdam, he led the Massena (New York) High School varsity team to a 146-32 record during his time there, and after he retired from coaching, he taught at Duke University for 23 years. The course he oversaw there: Theory of Basketball Coaching.

Mike Thibault

TEAMS: Connecticut Sun (2003-2012), Washington Mystics (2013-2022)

WHY HE GETS IN: Thibault led the Connecticut Sun to the WNBA Finals two times (2004-2005), before taking the Washington Mystics over the finish line to claim the franchise's first and only championship in 2019. Thibault was named WNBA Coach of the Year three times (2006, 2008, 2013), trailing only Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve with four. Thibault retired in 2022 as the all-time winningest head coach in the regular season with a 379-289 record. His record was passed by Reeve on July 8. Thibault was also an assistant coach of the Team USA women's basketball roster that won a gold medal at the 2008 and 2024 Olympics.