Search by the First Name of the HOFers
Henry Porter
Inducted:
1960
Stats
Born
October 2, 1891
near Manito, Illinois, U.S.
Died
October 27, 1975
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Position
Contributor
College
Illinois State University
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
Henry Porter was an important figure in the early development and organization of basketball, earning recognition for innovations that helped improve the game at both the school and national levels. His landmark legacy was forged in high school athletics as an administrator, equipment designer, and rule maker.
As the inaugural executive secretary of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations (NFHS), Porter revolutionized the physical equipment and standard rulebook of basketball. He designed the fan-shaped backboard, spearheaded the transition from heavy laced leather balls to the modern molded basketball, and published the first unified high school rulebook. Porter is also famous for coining the iconic phrase "March Madness" in 1939 to capture the drama of high school tournament play.
For his game-changing innovations and administrative leadership, he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a Contributor in 1960.
Porter's Awards and Honor
- Designed the Fan-Shaped Backboard
- Introduced the Molded Basketball
- Published First High School Basketball Rule Book (1936)
- Pioneered Instructional Motion Pictures
- Credited with developing the fan-shaped backboard
- First Illinois State graduate inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
NBA Teams
Athletic Administrator
Executive Director
NBA Records
Served at IHSA:
31 Years (1927–1958) as Assistant Manager
As Executive Secretary of NFHS:
18 Years (1940–1958)
As Executive Director:
National High School Federation
Major contribution:
Development of basketball equipment
Rule Committee Veteran:
Represented 26 years (1932–1958) at National Basketball Rules Committee
Term Coined:
"March Madness"
Herb Magee
Inducted:
2011
Coach Stats
5 ft 10 in; (68 kg)
Born:
June 21, 1941
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Coach
College:
NA
Herb Magee, known as the “Shot Doctor,” built one of the most remarkable coaching legacies in basketball history. As the longtime head coach at Philadelphia University, Magee guided the program for over five decades, earning recognition for his ability to develop talent and instill discipline. Renowned for his expertise in shooting, he became a mentor to countless players at every level, from high school athletes to NBA professionals, shaping the way the game was taught.
Magee’s career coaching record surpassed 1,100 victories, making him one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history. Beyond wins, he was celebrated for loyalty, spending his entire career at one institution and building a culture defined by respect, hard work, and skill development.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011, Magee’s impact as a teacher of the game continues to inspire coaches and players alike. His career stands as a model of excellence, commitment, and basketball knowledge.
Magee's Awards and Honors
- NCAA College Division II tournament (1970)
- 5× CACC tournament (2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2018)
- CACC regular season (2007)
- 6× CACC South Division regular season (2008–2010, 2012, 2014, 2017)
NBA Records
- One of the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA basketball history
- Spent entire career at one institution
- Recognized as one of the greatest shooting instructors in basketball
- Helped shape generations of players and coaches across all levels
NBA Teams
Philadelphia Textile/Philadelphia/Jefferson (1963–2022)
NBA Draft:
1963: 62nd pick
Boston Celtics
NBA Stats
Coaching Career:
1967–2022
Total Wins:
1,144
Overall Wins:
1,144
Losses:
450
Win(%)
.718
Herb Simon
Inducted:
2024
Owner Stats
Born:
October 23, 1934
New York City, U.S.
Position:
Contributor – Owner
College:
NA
Herb Simon is the longtime owner of the Indiana Pacers, having purchased the team in 1983 alongside his late brother, Mel Simon. Under his leadership, the Pacers have become one of the NBA’s most stable franchises, consistently competing at a high level and making multiple deep playoff runs.
Simon played a crucial role in keeping the Pacers in Indianapolis, ensuring the team remained a key part of the city's sports culture.
Beyond basketball, Simon is a highly successful businessman, known for his work in real estate as the chairman of Simon Property Group, one of the world’s largest shopping mall operators.
His impact on both sports and business earned him widespread recognition, making him one of the most influential owners in NBA history.
Simon's Awards and Honors
- Owner of Indiana Pacers since 1983
- Led Pacers to multiple Eastern Conference Finals and an NBA Finals appearance (2000)
- Helped secure Gainbridge Fieldhouse (formerly Conseco Fieldhouse) for the Pacers
- Key figure in keeping the Pacers in Indianapolis
- Herb is the longest-tenured NBA owner.
NBA Teams
NBA Stats
Occupation:
Chairman emeritus(Simon Property Group)
Ownership Team:
Indiana Pacers
Ownership Since:
1983
Co-Owner(Team):
Indiana Fever
Hortencia Marcari
Inducted:
2005
Player Stats
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
132 lb (60 kg)
Born
September 23, 1959
Potirendaba, São Paulo (state), Brazil
Position
Shooting guard
College
NA
Hortência Marcari, widely known simply as "The Queen" (A Rainha), is arguably the greatest international women’s basketball player to never play in the WNBA. A national icon in Brazil, Marcari was a prolific shooting guard whose scoring ability was legendary; she once scored an astounding 124 points in a single game in the Brazilian league. She dominated the international scene for over two decades, utilizing a relentless offensive motor and deep shooting range that earned her the respect of NBA and Olympic legends alike.
Her crowning achievement came in 1994, when she led Brazil to a FIBA World Championship gold medal, defeating a powerhouse U.S. team in the semifinals. After a brief retirement, she returned for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics to capture a silver medal, solidifying Brazil’s place as a global force. Though she retired just before the WNBA launched in 1997, her legacy paved the way for future Brazilian stars like Janeth Arcain. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.
Marcari's Awards and Honors
- Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2002)
- FIBA Hall of Fame (2007 - Inaugural Class)
- 1994 FIBA World Champion
- 1991 Pan American Games Gold Medalist
- Top Scorer of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
- 4x South American Champion
- Rio 2016 Olympic Torchbearer
- One of the greatest female scorers in international basketball history
National Teams
Brazil
Number Worn:
4
National Stats
National Team Appearances:
137
Career Points (National Team):
3,337 (24.4 ppg avg)
1994 World Cup Scoring:
27.6 ppg (Tournament High)
Single-Game Scoring High:
121 Points (1987) / 124 Points (1991)
Olympic Medals:
1 (Silver, 1996)
FIBA World Championship appearances:
6
World Championship Medals:
1 (Gold, 1994)
Howard Cann
Inducted:
1968
Stats
Born
October 11, 1895
Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
Died
December 18, 1992
Dobbs Ferry, New York, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
Barringer High School
Howard Cann was a versatile athlete and accomplished basketball coach whose influence extended across several decades of the sport's early history. Cann built his hall-of-fame legacy over 35 seasons as the head coach at New York University (NYU) from 1923 to 1958.
A remarkably versatile athlete who won a national championship as an NYU player and represented the United States as a shot putter in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, Cann returned to his alma mater to become a founding architect of New York City college basketball. Under his guidance, NYU grew into a national powerhouse, advancing to the 1945 NCAA title game and the 1948 NIT final. Cann played a crucial role in bringing college basketball to Madison Square Garden and developed major stars, including NBA Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes.
For his tactical excellence and decades of leadership, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 1968.
Cann's Awards and Honor
- Helms championship (1935)
- 5 Metropolitan New York Conference (1934, 1938, 1946, 1948, 1957)
- National Coach of the Year (1947)
- NCAA Tournament Runner-Up (1945)
- NIT Runner-Up (1948)
- Helms Athletic Foundation Player of the Year (1920-as player)
- AAU National Champion (1920-as player)
NBA Teams
NYU (1923–1958)
NBA Records
Coaching career:
1943–1958
Overall Coaching Record:
409–232
Winning Percentage:
.638
NCAA Tournament Appearances:
3
NIT Appearances:
6
Howard Garfinkel
Inducted:
2021
Founder Stats
5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
165 lbs (75 kg)
Born:
August 1, 1929
New York City, U.S.
Died:
May 7, 2016
New York City, U.S.
Position:
Contributor
College:
City College
Howard Garfinkel was a legendary figure in grassroots basketball, best known as the founder of the Five-Star Basketball Camp, which helped launch the careers of hundreds of NBA and college stars. Established in 1966, Five-Star became the premier developmental camp in the country, featuring alumni like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Patrick Ewing, and Chris Paul. Garfinkel was a master talent evaluator and a trusted source for college recruiters for decades.
He also co-founded the High School Basketball Illustrated (HSBI) scouting service, revolutionizing how talent was tracked and recruited. Beyond his eye for talent, “Garf” created a competitive culture at Five-Star that emphasized fundamentals, coaching excellence, and intensity. His legacy is woven into the careers of Hall of Famers and top-tier coaches, many of whom credit him for their development. Garfinkel was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 as a contributor.
Garfinkel's Awards and Honors
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (2016, Contributor)
- Five-Star Basketball Camp credited with shaping modern scouting/recruiting
- Recognized by countless NCAA and NBA legends
- Promoted high-level competition and elite coaching clinics
- Instrumental in the development of basketball’s summer circuit culture
- Called “the godfather of grassroots basketball”
Contributions
Founder
Five-Star Basketball Camp (1966–2008)
Co-Founder
HSBI Scouting Service (1965–2000s)
Estimated NBA Players Influenced:
500+
Estimated College Coaches Influenced:
100+
Notable Alumni:
Michael Jordan, Moses Malone, Isiah Thomas, Grant Hill, Karl-Anthony Towns
Legendary Coaches at Camp:
Bobby Knight, Rick Pitino, Hubie Brown, John Calipari
Howard Hobson
Inducted:
1965
Stats
Born
July 4,1903
Portland,Oregon,U.S.
Died
June 9,1991
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
University of Oregon (1923–1926)
Howard "Hobby" Hobson was one of the most influential college basketball coaches of the 20th century and a pioneer of modern basketball strategy. After starring as a player at the University of Oregon, he built an outstanding coaching career at Southern Oregon, the University of Oregon and Yale University.
Hobson guided Oregon's legendary "Tall Firs" to victory in the inaugural 1939 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, making them the first NCAA national champions. He also introduced intersectional scheduling by taking West Coast teams to compete against Eastern powers and authored several respected basketball coaching books that helped shape the game's development.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1965 as a coach.
Hobson's Awards and Honor
- NCAA National Champion (1939)
- 3× Pacific Coast Conference Champion
- 5× Big Three Champion (Yale)
- Guided Yale to its First NCAA Tournament appearance in 1949
- President of the National Association of Basketball Coaches(1947)
- Member of the U.S. Olympic Basketball Committee
NBA Teams
Southern Oregon Normal School (1932–1935)
Oregon (1935–1944,1945–1947)
Yale University (1947–1956)
NBA Stats
Career/Tenor
1932-1956
Seasons Coached:
23
Career Record:
495–291 (overall)
College Record:
401–257
Winning Percentage:
.609
NCAA Champion:
1 (1939)
Hubie Brown
Inducted:
2005
Coach Stats
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
160 lb (73 kg)
Born
September 25, 1933
Hazleton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
Niagara (1951–1955)
Hubie Brown is one of the most revered "teachers" in basketball history, possessing a career that has spanned over 70 years as a player, coach, and legendary analyst. Brown first rose to prominence in the ABA, leading the Kentucky Colonels to a championship in 1975. In the NBA, he earned a reputation as a master of the "turnaround," taking struggling franchises like the Atlanta Hawks and the Memphis Grizzlies and transforming them into disciplined playoff contenders.
Brown’s legacy is equally defined by his second career in the broadcast booth. For over three decades, he served as the premier analyst for CBS, TNT, and ABC/ESPN, winning audiences over with his trademark "Hubie-isms" and his ability to explain complex X's and O's in five-second windows. He is a rare two-time NBA Coach of the Year, winning the awards a staggering 26 years apart. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2005.
Brown's Awards and Honors
- 2x NBA Coach of the Year (1978, 2004)
- ABA Champion (1975)
- Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award (2000)
- Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award (2017)
- Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame (Class of 2024)
- College Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
- One of the most respected basketball teachers ever
- Successful careers as both coach and broadcaster
NBA Teams
Kentucky Colonels (1974–1976)
Atlanta Hawks (1976–1981)
New York Knicks (1982–1987)
Memphis Grizzlies (2002–2004)
NBA Stats
Season Coached:
15 (1975-81,1982-87,2002-05)
Game:
1,087
Wins:
528
Losses:
559
Win(%)
.486
ABA championships:
1
Broadcasting career:
30+ years