Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 6, 2025, in a ceremony that celebrated their illustrious careers and contributions to basketball. This historic event honored their achievements across the NBA, WNBA, and Olympic stages, with emotional speeches and reflections on their journeys.
Anthony, a 10-time NBA All-Star and 2012-13 scoring champion, delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing gratitude to the New York Knicks and recounting his rise from playgrounds in Brooklyn and Baltimore. He emphasized overcoming doubts and his role in the 2008 Olympic ‘Redeem Team,’ which was also enshrined, highlighting his legacy despite not winning an NBA championship.
Howard, known for his defensive dominance with three Defensive Player of the Year awards, shared personal anecdotes about his family, particularly his mother’s perseverance, and paid tribute to basketball legends like Shaquille O’Neal. His speech blended humor with sincerity, including imitations of his former coach, Stan Van Gundy, and a message to his children about pursuing dreams.
Bird, a two-time NCAA champion at UConn and four-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm, spoke about her unexpected path to greatness, from predicting a pro career in her high school yearbook to winning five Olympic gold medals. Her induction underscored her exceptional playmaking and leadership, which defined her two-decade career.
Moore, another UConn standout and four-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx, focused her remarks on social justice, drawing from her work to overturn the wrongful conviction of her husband, Jonathan Irons. She encouraged the next generation to find motivation in joy and connection, marking her transition from basketball star to advocate for change.
Fowles, a two-time WNBA champion and MVP renowned for her defensive skills, was recognized for her paint dominance and four Defensive Player of the Year awards. Her induction, alongside Bird and Moore, made history as the first time three WNBA players entered the Hall in the same year, highlighting the growing impact of women’s basketball.
The ceremony also enshrined the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball ‘Redeem Team,’ which won gold in Beijing after previous disappointments, with Coach Mike Krzyzewski and players like LeBron James in attendance. This team was praised for restoring USA Basketball’s global standing and fostering a culture of excellence and unity.
Additional inductees included coach Billy Donovan, referee Danny Crawford, and executive Micky Arison, each acknowledged for their unique contributions to the sport. The event concluded with a sense of closure and inspiration, emphasizing the inductees’ lasting influence on basketball and their roles as ambassadors for future generations.