Search by the First Name of the HOFers
Val Ackerman
Inducted:
2021
Player Stats
5 ft 11 in(180 cm)
160 lbs (73 kg)
Born:
November 7, 1959
Lakewood Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Position:
Contributor
College:
University of Virginia
Val Ackerman is a pioneering sports executive best known as the founding president of the WNBA, where she led the league from its launch in 1996 through 2005. A former standout basketball player at the University of Virginia, Ackerman went on to work for USA Basketball and the NBA before becoming the face of professional women’s basketball.
Under her leadership, the WNBA debuted in 1997 and quickly became a cornerstone of women’s sports, thanks to her vision, tireless advocacy, and commitment to player development and league stability. After the WNBA, she served as President of USA Basketball and later became the first commissioner of the Big East Conference.
Ackerman’s legacy includes groundbreaking contributions to basketball governance, gender equity in sports, and global promotion of the game. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Ackerman's Awards and Records
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (2021)
- Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (2011)
- USA Basketball Edward S. Steitz Award
- WBCA Jostens-Berenson Lifetime Achievement Award
- Sporting News “100 Most Powerful People in Sports”
- Title IX Trailblazer in collegiate and professional sports
- Board Member, Basketball Hall of Fame and Knight Commission
Career
Founding President
WNBA (1996–2005)
President
USA Basketball (2005–2008)
Commissioner
Big East Conference (2013–Present)
Career Stats
As a Player
College:
University of Virginia
Games Played:
122
Points:
1,485
Honors:
4-year starter, All-ACC, Academic All-American
Notable:
One of the first female scholarship athletes at UVA
Van Chancellor
Inducted:
2007
Stats
Born
September 27, 1943
Louisville, Mississippi, U.S.
Position
Coach
College:
University of Mississippi
Van Chancellor is the legendary architect of the first professional basketball dynasty of the modern era. While he never coached in the NBA, he is the most decorated coach in WNBA history, leading the Houston Comets to the league's first four consecutive championships (1997–2000). His Comets teams, led by the "Big Three" of Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson, dominated the early years of the league with a combination of defensive intensity and high-IQ offensive sets.
Before his professional success, Chancellor spent 19 seasons as the head coach at Ole Miss, where he turned the Lady Rebels into a national power with 14 NCAA tournament appearances. He later returned to the college ranks to lead LSU to a Final Four in 2008. On the international stage, he maintained a perfect 38–0 record as the head coach of Team USA, securing a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Chancellor's Awards and Records
- Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2001)
- 3x WNBA Coach of the Year
- 4x WNBA Champion
- 3x SEC Coach of the Year (1987, 1990, 1992)
- WNBA All-Decade Team Coach (2006)
- 2025 Houston Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
- Architect of the WNBA’s first dynasty
- Olympic silver medalist as head coach
NBA Team
Houston Comets (1997–2006)
NBA Stats
WNBA Championships:
4 (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
WNBA Career Record:
211–111 (.655)
NCAA Career Record:
530–195 (.731)
Olympic Gold Medals:
1 (2004 - Head Coach)
WNBA Coach of the Year:
3 (1997, 1998, 1999)
USA Basketball Record:
38–0 (Perfect)
Olympic medals (as coach):
Silver (1996)
Vern Mikkelsen
Inducted:
1995
Stats
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
Born
October 21, 1928
Parlier, California, U.S.
Died
November 21, 2013
Wayzata, Minnesota, U.S.
Position
Power forward
College
Hamline (1945–1949)
Arild Verner Agerskov "Vern" Mikkelsen, often called "The Great Dane," was the iron-willed enforcer of the Minneapolis Lakers' dynasty. Standing 6'7" and weighing 230 lbs, Mikkelsen is widely credited as one of the NBA's first true power forwards. Initially a center at Hamline University, he successfully transitioned to the forward spot to play alongside George Mikan, forming a terrifying frontcourt that also featured Jim Pollard.
Mikkelsen was a model of durability and ruggedness, playing in 699 of a possible 704 games during his 10-season career. While he was a ferocious rebounder and an elite interior scorer—becoming just the sixth player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points—he was also known for his physical toll on the game, holding the NBA record for most career disqualifications (127 fouling outs). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Mikkelsen's Awards and Records
- 4× NBA champion (1950, 1952–1954)
- 6× NBA All-Star (1951–1953, 1955–1957)
- 4× All-NBA Second Team (1951–1953, 1955)
- 19 honored by Los Angeles Lakers
- Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
- NAIA National Champion (1949)
NBA Teams
Minneapolis Lakers (1949–1959)
BAA draft
1949: territorial pick
Minneapolis Lakers
Number Worn
19
NBA Stats
Seasons:
10 (1949–1959)
Games Played:
699
Points:
10,063 (14.4 ppg)
Rebounds:
5,940 (9.4 rpg)
Assists:
1,515 (2.2 apg)
Field Goal %:
40.3%
Points per game:
14.4
NBA Championships:
4 (1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)
All-Star Selections:
6 (1951–1953, 1955–1957)
All-NBA Second Team:
4 (1951–1953, 1955)
Vince Carter
Inducted:
2024
Player Stats
Stats:
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
Born:
January 26, 1977
Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
Position:
Shooting guard /
small forward
College:
North Carolina (1995–1998)
Vince Carter was one of the most electrifying players in NBA history, known for his incredible dunking ability, longevity, and scoring prowess. Drafted fifth overall in 1998 by the Golden State Warriors and traded to the Toronto Raptors, Carter quickly became a global sensation. His high-flying dunks, particularly his legendary performance in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, earned him the nickname "Vinsanity."
Beyond his highlight-reel plays, Carter was a versatile scorer who adapted his game over his 22-season career—the longest in NBA history.
An eight-time All-Star, he played a key role in popularizing basketball in Canada during his time with the Raptors. Carter remained a respected veteran leader, mentoring young players while continuing to contribute on the court well into his 40s.
His influence on the game, particularly his combination of athleticism and skill, cements his legacy as one of the most beloved players in NBA history.
Carter's Awards
- 8× NBA All-Star (2000–2007)
- All-NBA Second Team (2001)
- All-NBA Third Team (2000)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1999)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1999)
- NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2000)
- NBA Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award (2016)
- NBA Sportsmanship Award (2020)
- Consensus second-team All-American (1998)
- First-team All-ACC (1998)
- Third-team All-ACC (1997)
- 15 honored by North Carolina Tar Heels
- 15 retired by Toronto Raptors
- 15 retired by Brooklyn Nets
- First-team Parade All-American (1995)
- McDonald's All-American (1995)
- Florida Mr. Basketball (1995)
NBA Teams
Toronto Raptors 1998–2004
New Jersey Nets 2004–2009
Orlando Magic 2009–2010
Phoenix Suns 2010–2011
Dallas Mavericks 2011–2014
Memphis Grizzlies 2014–2017
Sacramento Kings 2017–2018
Atlanta Hawks 2018–2020
NBA draft:
1998: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Golden State Warriors
Numbers Worn:
15, 25
NBA Stats
Seasons:
22
Games Played:
1,541
Points:
25,728 (16.7 PPG)
Rebounds:
6,606 (4.3 rpg)
Assists:
4,714 (3.1 apg)
Blocks:
888 (0.6 bpg)
Steals:
1,530 (Avg 1.0)
FG%
47.7
FT%
60.0
Three-Point(%)
37.1%
Vlade Divac
Inducted:
2019
Player Stats
7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
260 lb (118 kg)
Born:
February 3, 1968
Prijepolje, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia
Position:
Center
College:
NA
Vlade Divac (b. 1968) is one of basketball’s true pioneers, bridging European and NBA styles. At 7'1", the Serbian center showcased rare passing vision, soft touch, and all-around skills in a 16-season NBA career. Drafted by the Lakers in 1989, he helped lay groundwork for international players in the league. Divac was an NBA All-Star (2001) and earned All-Rookie First Team honors after his debut season.
He ranked among the most versatile big men ever, crossing milestones with over 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, and 1,500 blocks. Abroad, he was a two-time FIBA World Champion and three-time EuroBasket gold medalist. Post-retirement, Divac served as Kings GM and led humanitarian efforts through his foundation. Honored by the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2010 and Naismith Hall in 2019, his legacy spans excellence, innovation, and cultural impact.
Divac's Awards & Honors:
- NBA All-Star (2001)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1990)
- 21 retired by Sacramento Kings
- FIBA Korać Cup champion (1989)
- Yugoslav League champion (1987)
- Yugoslav Cup winner (1989)
- Mister Europa Player of the Year (1989)
- FIBA's 50 Greatest Players (1991)
- FIBA All-Time EuroStars Team (2007)
- 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors (2008)
- Olympic Order (2016)
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: 2019
- EuroBasket Gold: 1989, 1991, 1995
- Olympic Silver Medalist: 1988, 1996
NBA Teams:
Los Angeles Lakers 1989–1996
Charlotte Hornets 1996–1998
Crvena Zvezda 1999
Sacramento Kings 1999–2004
Los Angeles Lakers 2004–2005
NBA Draft:
1989: 1st round, 26th overall pick
Los Angeles Lakers
Number Worn:
12, 21
NBA Stats:
Seasons
16 (1989–2005)
Games Played
1,134
Points
13,398 (11.8 ppg)
Rebounds
9,326 (8.2 rpg)
Assists
3,563* (~3.1 apg)
Blocks
1,631 (~1.4 bpg)
Field Goal %
49.5%
NBA All-Star
1 (2001)
All-Rookie Team
1989–90
Sports Fan Products
NBA Hall of Fame
The NBA Hall of Fame, officially known as the Basketball Hall of Fame, is a prestigious institution that honors the greatest figures in the sport of basketball. Each year, the Induction ceremony celebrates legendary players who have made significant impacts on the game. The Hall of Fame class features basketball legends whose remarkable career achievements and iconic moments have defined the sport.
Inductees are recognized for their substantial player contributions, earning various awards and honors throughout their careers. The Hall also pays tribute to retired jerseys and acknowledges the profound impact on the game by highlighting the historic contributions of its members. With a focus on the legacy in basketball, the NBA Hall of Fame continues to celebrate excellence and inspire future generations of players through memorable speeches and recognition in sports.
