Search by the First Name of the HOFers
Lisa Leslie
Inducted:
2015
Player Stats:
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
Born:
July 7, 1972
Compton, California, U.S.
Position:
Center
College:
USC (1990–1994)
Lisa Leslie (born July 7, 1972) is a trailblazer in women's basketball, renowned for her dominance on the court and her role in elevating the sport's visibility. Standing 6'5", she was a formidable presence as a center for the Los Angeles Sparks from 1997 to 2009. Leslie led the Sparks to two WNBA championships (2001, 2002) and was named Finals MVP both times. A three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player (2001, 2004, 2006), she was also the first player to dunk in a WNBA game.
Internationally, Leslie earned four Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008) and was a key contributor to Team USA's dominance in women's basketball. Her accolades include 12 All-WNBA selections, 4 All-Defensive Team honors, and 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, Leslie's legacy continues to inspire future generations of athletes.
Leslie's Awards & Achievements:
- FIBA World Championship MVP (2002)
- 8× WNBA All-Star (1999–2003, 2005, 2006, 2009)
- 3× WNBA All-Star Game MVP (1999, 2001, 2002)
- 8× All-WNBA First Team (1997, 2000–2004, 2006, 2008)
- First player to dunk in a WNBA game (July 30, 2002)
WNBA Records:
- 2× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2006, 2008)
- 2× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2009)
- WNBA Peak Performer (2004)
- WNBA 10th Anniversary Team (2006)
- WNBA 15th Anniversary Team (2011)
- WNBA 20th Anniversary Team (2016)
- WNBA 25th Anniversary Team (2021)
WNBA Teams :
Los Angeles Sparks (1997–2009)
WNBA Draft:
1997: Allocated
Los Angeles Sparks
Number Worn:
9
WNBA Stats:
Games Played:
363
Points:
6,263 (17.3 PPG)
Rebounds:
3,307 (9.1 RPG)
Assists:
868 (2.4 APG)
Blocks:
822 total (2.3 BPG)
Field Goal Percentage:
47.0%
Free Throw Percentage:
69.5%
Three-Point Percentage:
31.6%
Minutes Per Game:
32.1
Lloyd Leith
Inducted:
1983
Stats
Born
December 7, 1902
San Francisco, California
Died
September 30, 1979
San Francisco
Position
NBA referee
College
NA
Lloyd Leith was a towering figure in the world of basketball officiating, known for his "no-nonsense" authority and a meticulous command of the game. While he spent much of his on-court career in the collegiate and AAU ranks, his influence on the NBA was significant in his later years. After retiring from active officiating, Leith was hired by the NBA as the Supervisor of Referees.
He was particularly respected for his ability to handle high-stakes environments, famously officiating the 1951 NCAA Championship game between Kentucky and Kansas State. For his decades of setting the gold standard for West Coast officiating and his administrative leadership, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983.
Leith's Awards & Honors
- Supervisor of Officials, Pacific Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1955–1962)
- Known for taking control of games and training officials in the Bay Area
- Instrumental in several national rule changes due to his deep technical knowledge
NBA Position
NBA referee (1940–1955)
NBA Stats
NCAA Tournaments:
16
AAU National Tournaments:
10
Lou Carnesecca
Inducted:
1992
Stats
Born
January 5, 1925
New York City, New York, U.S.
Died
November 30, 2024
New York City, New York, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
St. John's
Lou Carnesecca, affectionately known as "Looie," was a cornerstone of New York basketball and a founding father of the Big East Conference. While he famously led St. John’s University for 24 seasons, he also made a significant mark in the professional ranks coaching the New York Nets in the ABA.
Known for his sideline energy and signature colorful sweaters, Carnesecca was a tactical master who never had a losing season at the collegiate level. He guided the Nets to the ABA Finals in 1972 and later took St. John's to the 1985 Final Four, coaching legends like Chris Mullin.
Beyond the wins, he was respected globally as an ambassador for the sport, serving as a mentor to generations of players. In recognition of his enduring legacy and coaching brilliance, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
Carnesecca's Awards and Honors
- 2× National Coach of the Year (1983, 1985)
- 3× Big East Coach of the Year (1983, 1985, 1986)
- NIT Championship (1989)
- 5× Big East Regular Season Champion
- 2× Big East Tournament Champion
- John's All-Time Winningest Coach
Teams
New York Nets (1970–1973)
St. John's (1973–1992)
NBA Stats
Collegiate Wins:
526
Collegiate Losses:
200
Winning Percentage:
.725
Professional (ABA) Wins:
114
Postseason Appearances:
24 (Every season coached)
NCAA Tournament Bids:
18
Lou Hudson
Inducted:
2022
Player Stats
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Born:
July 11, 1944
Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Died:
April 11, 2014
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Position:
Shooting guard / small forward
College:
Minnesota (1963–1966)
Lou Hudson, nicknamed “Sweet Lou,” was a prolific scorer and one of the most elegant shooters of his generation. Hudson played 13 NBA seasons (1966–1979), primarily with the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks before concluding his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
A six-time NBA All-Star, he averaged 20.2 points per game over 890 career games, amassing a total of 17,940 points. From 1969 to 1974, Hudson averaged over 24 points per game for five consecutive seasons, showcasing his offensive prowess. His career-high 57-point game against the Chicago Bulls in 1969 remains a franchise record.
In 2022, Hudson was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the game's greats.
Hudson's Awards and Records
- 6× NBA All-Star (1969–1974)
- All-NBA Second Team (1970)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1967)
- 23 retired by Atlanta Hawks
- Third-team All-American – NABC, UPI (1966)
- First-team All-Big Ten (1965)
- Second-team All-Big Ten (1966)
- 14 retired by Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: 2022
- University of Minnesota Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee: 1991
- North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame Inductee: 1988
- Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Inductee: 2002
- Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame Inductee: 2007
NBA Teams
St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks 1966–1977
Los Angeles Lakers 1977–1979
NBA draft:
1966: 1st round, 4th overall pick
St. Louis
Numbers Worn:
23
NBA Stats
Seasons
13
Games Played
890
Points
17,940 (20.2 ppg)
Rebounds
3,926 (4.4 rpg)
Assists
2,432 (2.7 apg)
Steals
516 (1.4 spg)
Blocks
98 (0.3 bpg)
Field Goal %
48.9%
Free Throw %
79.7%
Louie Dampier
Inducted:
2015
Player Stats:
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
Born:
November 20, 1944
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Position:
Point guard
College:
Kentucky (1964–1967)
Louie Dampier was one of the ABA’s premier guards, renowned for his sharpshooting, ball handling, and leadership throughout the league’s existence from 1967 to 1976. Spending his entire ABA career with the Kentucky Colonels, Dampier was a consistent scoring threat and one of the best shooters of his era. He averaged over 20 points per game and led the Colonels to the 1975 ABA Championship.
Known for his quick release and clutch shooting, Dampier helped popularize the three-point shot long before it became standard in the NBA. His intelligence on the court and work ethic made him a respected figure among teammates and opponents alike. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, Dampier’s legacy is tied to the exciting and innovative style of ABA basketball and its influence on today’s game.
Dampier's Awards & Records:
- SEC Coach of the Year (2009, 2010, 2014)
- AP National Coach of the Year (2009)
- Led Kentucky to the 2012 NCAA Championship
- Coached the most NBA draft picks in NCAA history
- Known for innovative offensive and defensive schemes
ABA Records:
- Holds the record for the most one-and-done players drafted into the NBA under one coach
- One of the fastest coaches to reach 500 and 600 career wins in NCAA Division I men’s basketball
- Frequently ranked in the top 10 NCAA coaches by winning percentage
- Coached more than 100 future NBA players during his career
Teams :
Kentucky Colonels 1967–1976
San Antonio Spurs 1976–1979
NBA Draft:
1967: 4th round, 38th overall pick
Cincinnati Royals
Number Worn:
10
Career Stats:
Seasons:
1967–1976
Games Played:
667
Points Per Game:
20.6
Rebounds:
2,543 (2.6 rpg)
Assists:
4,687 (4.9 apg)
Total Points:
15,279
Three-Point Percentage:
33.7%
Louis Wilke
Inducted:
1983
Stats
Born
October 10, 1896
Chicago, Illinois
Died
February 28, 1962
Position
Contributor
College
NA
Louis Wilke was a seminal figure in the administrative history of amateur basketball, playing a critical role in the growth of the sport both domestically and on the international stage. While his name is often associated with professional circles due to his enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, his work was primarily focused on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Wilke was a master of diplomacy; in 1961, he was the primary mediator in a massive jurisdiction dispute between the NCAA and the AAU over which body would represent American interests in international competition. Before his executive career, he was a highly successful coach, most notably leading the legendary Phillips 66ers (an AAU powerhouse) to a dominant 98–8 record.
Wilke's Awards & Honors
- Served as the National Chairman of the AAU Basketball Committee for seven terms
- Coached Phillips 66ers (1929–1931) to a staggering 98–8 record
- Served as Vice-Chairman of the FIBA Rules Committee and the Pan American Federation (1962–1968)
- Executive Board Member of the U.S. Olympic Committee (1956–1960)
NBA Position
Chairman (AAU Basketball Committee)
NBA Stats
Coaching tenor:
1929-1931
NBA Role:
Chairman (AAU,U.S. Olympic)
Lusia Harris
Inducted:
1992
Lusia Harris, often called the "Queen of Basketball," was a towering figure who fundamentally changed the landscape of the sport. A dominant center at Delta State University, she led her team to three consecutive national championships in the mid-1970s. Harris gained international fame at the 1976 Summer Games, where she had the distinct honor of scoring the first-ever points in women's Olympic basketball history, eventually helping the United States secure a silver medal.
In a landmark moment in 1977, she became the first woman to be officially drafted by an NBA team when the New Orleans Jazz selected her in the seventh round. Although she chose not to play in the NBA, her selection remains a historic milestone for gender equality in professional sports. In recognition of her pioneering achievements, she was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
Harris's Awards and Honors
- Olympic Silver Medalist (1976)
- 3× AIAW champion (1975–1977)
- 3× AIAW Tournament MVP (1975–1977)
- 3x Kodak All-American (1975–1977)
- Honda Sports Award for basketball (1977)
- Broderick Cup (1977)
- Played in the first Olympic women’s basketball tournament
- Historic NBA draft milestone
WNBA Teams
Houston Angels (1979–1980)
NBA Draft
1977: 7th round, 137th overall pick
New Orleans Jazz
NBA Stats
Games Played:
115
Total Points:
2,981
Points Per Game:
25.9
Total Rebounds:
1,662
Rebounds Per Game:
14.5
Field Goal Percentage:
63.3%
Lute Olson
Inducted:
2002
Player Stats
Born:
September 22, 1934
Mayville, North Dakota, U.S.
Died:
August 27, 2020
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Position:
Coach
College:
University of Arizona
Robert Luther "Lute" Olson was a master program-builder and one of the most respected tacticians in college basketball history. While he is often associated with the NBA due to the staggering number of professional players he developed, Olson never coached in the NBA. Instead, he spent his career in the collegiate ranks, most notably transforming the University of Arizona from a struggling program into a perennial national powerhouse.
Olson led the "Wildcats" to 23 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and the 1997 National Championship. His "Point Guard U" philosophy emphasized elite backcourt play, which paved the way for dozens of his players—including Steve Kerr, Mike Bibby, and Jason Terry—to become NBA stars and champions. His impact on the pro game was so significant that despite never pacing an NBA sideline, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Olson's Awards and Honors
- National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
- NCAA Champion (1997)
- 2x National Coach of the Year (1980, 1997)
- 7x Pac-10 Coach of the Year
- 2x Big Ten Coach of the Year (at Iowa)
- Gold Medal - FIBA World Championship (1986, Team USA)
- Naismith College Coach of the Year
- Pac-10 Coach of the Year (multiple)
NBA Teams
Iowa (1974–1983)
Arizona (1983–2007)
NBA Stats
Seasons coached:
36
Overall Division I Record:
780–280 (.736)
NCAA Tournament appearances:
23
Final Four appearances:
4
NCAA Championships:
1 (1997)
Final Four Appearances:
5 (1980, 1988, 1994, 1997, 2001)
Pac-10 Conference Titles:
11 Regular Season / 4 Tournament
NBA Draft Picks Produced:
55 (34 from Arizona)
20-Win Seasons:
29
Lynette Woodard
Inducted:
2004
Player Stats
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
160 lb (73 kg)
Born
August 12, 1959
Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Position
Guard
College
Kansas (1977–1981)
Lynette Woodard is a pioneer whose career defined the transition of women’s basketball into the modern era. A 6'0" guard from the University of Kansas, Woodard was the most prolific scorer in the history of the women's game during her time, amassing 3,649 points—a mark that stood for over 40 years as the major-college record. Woodard is perhaps most famous for breaking one of the most significant gender barriers in sports: in 1985, she became the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
She was a cornerstone of USA Basketball, captaining the 1984 Olympic team to its first-ever gold medal. After a long career overseas in Italy and Japan, she came out of retirement at age 38 to play in the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997, proving her longevity and elite skill set. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.
Woodard's Awards and Honors
- Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2005)
- 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist
- 1981 Wade Trophy (Player of the Year)
- 4x Kodak All-American (1978–1981)
- WNBA Pioneer (Inaugural 1997 Season)
- 31 Retired by the University of Kansas
- All-time leading scorer in University of Kansas history
- USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year (1983)
WNBA Team
Cleveland Rockers (1997)
Detroit Shock (1998)
WNBA Draft
1997: Allocated
Cleveland Rockers
Number Worn
8
WNBA Stats
Seasons:
2 (1997–1998)
Games Played:
55
Game Started:
35
Points Per Game:
5.7
Rebounds Per Game:
3.3
Assists Per Game:
1.6
College Career Points:
3,649 (26.3 ppg)
College Career Rebounds:
1,734 (KU All-time Record)
Olympic Medals:
1 (Gold, 1984 - Team Captain)
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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.