NBA is a league of basketball legends. Since its inauguration in 1949, the association has seen exceptional athletes, mentors, and officials who have left an indelible mark on basketball. The NBA honored them by inducting them into the prestigious NBA Hall of Fame.

But how many NBA Hall of Famers are there?

In this article, we will explore what the NBA Hall of Fame requirements are and how many NBA Hall of Famers there are. We will also categorize some of the most notable NBA Hall of Famers by players, coaches, and referees.

What Does Hall of Fame Mean in NBA?

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is a museum located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The museum aims to recognize the players, referees, coaches, and other contributors who have significantly impacted and preserved basketball history.

Induction into the NBA Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of achievement for any player, coach, or referee. It reflects their extraordinary talent, relentless hard work, and unwavering commitment to the game. Moreover, it signifies that their legacy will endure forever in basketball history.

The NBA Hall of Fame was established in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1959. It is named after the venerable Dr. James Naismith, who invented basketball and is a tribute to the game’s illustrious past and the people who have helped shape its destiny.

Individuals are evaluated based on their overall impact on the basketball game to be considered for induction into the NBA Hall of Fame. This includes their performance on the court and their sportsmanship, leadership, and contributions to society off the court. 

The NBA Hall of Fame symbolizes the sport’s rich history and the great individuals who have contributed to its success. Induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication required to reach the pinnacle of one’s craft and inspires future generations to follow in their footsteps.

What Makes an NBA Hall of Famer?

The NBA Hall of Fame is an esteemed institution that recognizes individuals who have shown exceptional skills and substantially impacted the game of basketball. From players to coaches, referees to contributors, the Hall of Fame honors those who have left their mark on the sport. 

The selection process for the Hall of Fame involves a nomination and voting process. A committee of basketball experts, including players, coaches, referees, and media members, nominates the candidates. After the nomination, larger committee members vote on the candidates.

The committee’s objective is to thoroughly examine the chosen Finalist’s basketball history before voting for or against their Induction into the BHOF. The two Recognition Committees (North American and Women’s) have 24 voting members. These committees include Hall of Famers, basketball administrators and executives, media representatives, and other basketball experts. A Finalist must obtain an NBA hall of fame voting percentage of 75% (18 out of 24) from the respective Recognition Committee to be Inducted into the BHOF.

If the Recognition Committee does not elect a Finalist for five consecutive years, their nomination will be suspended for five years. To be eligible for Enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Player: To become eligible for Enshrinement, a player must have been fully retired for at least four seasons. After retirement, the player can be considered for Enshrinement in the fifth year. If a player comes out of retirement for a brief period, their case and eligibility for Enshrinement will be reviewed individually.

Coach: A coach must have been fully retired for four full seasons or, if still coaching, have coached as a full-time assistant or head coach on the high school and college, and professional level for at least 25 years. The coach will then be considered for Enshrinement in the sixth year of retirement or 26th year of active coaching.

Referee: A referee must have been fully retired for four full seasons or, if still an active referee, have been an active referee for a minimum of 25 years. That person will be considered for Enshrinement in the sixth year of retirement or the 26th year of refereeing.

Contributor: A person is eligible for Enshrinement at any time for significant contributions to basketball. The BHOF, its Election Process Committee, and the Contributor Direct-Elect Committee determine what constitutes a “significant contribution.”

How Many NBA Hall of Famers are There? 

Since introducing the NBA MVP Awards in 1955-1956, 34 different players have won this prestigious award. We look at the all-time list of NBA MVPs and NBA Hall of Fame inductees to determine how many NBA MVPs are in the Hall of Fame. We found out that out of 34 league MVPs, 26 had been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Those former NBA MVPs who have yet to be given this honor are either still active (Rose, LeBron, Curry, etc.) or not yet eligible (Dirk Nowitzki.) However, Nowitzki is among the finalists for the 2023 Hall of Fame candidates.

LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic are the league MVPs who have the potential to be inducted once their times come.

Being a Hall of Famer is not limited to those players who won a championship. Hence, you may wonder how many NBA hall of famers don’t have a ring. Looking at the NBA Hall of Fame list, there are 178 NBA players enshrined in the Hall of Fame, and just around 70 of them won at least one championship. That means around 100 Hall of famers never won a title. Some notable examples include Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Allen Iverson, and Patrick Ewing. While these players have achieved individual success and significantly contributed to the sport, they did not secure an NBA championship title during their playing days.

The following is a breakdown of the number of NBA Hall of Famers by year:

Year	Number of Inductees	Year	Number of Inductees	Year	Number of Inductees	Year	Number of Inductees
1959	17	1975	4	1991	7	2007	7
1960	10	1976	4	1992	9	2008	7
1961	25	1977	5	1993	8	2009	5
1962	6	1978	5	1994	5	2010	10
1963	3	1979	7	1995	7	2011	10
1964	7	1980	6	1996	6	2012	12
1965	4	1981	4	1997	7	2013	10
1966	2	1982	7	1998	7	2014	10
1967	0	1983	6	1999	5	2015	10
1968	4	1984	5	2000	6	2016	10
1969	5	1985	7	2001	3	2017	11
1970	2	1986	6	2002	6	2018	13
1971	3	1987	5	2003	7	2019	12
1972	6	1988	4	2004	6	2020	9
1973	6	1989	3	2005	5	2021	16
1974	3	1990	4	2006	6	2022	13

25 Notable NBA Hall of Famers  

The NBA Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor bestowed upon the exceptional players, coaches, and referees who have made invaluable contributions to basketball. 

Among the most notable inductees are:

Players:

1. Michael Jordan

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

3. Magic Johnson

4. Larry Bird

5. Wilt Chamberlain

6. Bill Russell

7. Kobe Bryant

8. Shaquille O’Neal

9. Tim Duncan

10. Hakeem Olajuwon

11. Oscar Robertson

12. Jerry West

13. David Robinson

14. Isiah Thomas

15. Charles Barkley

Coaches:

1. Phil Jackson

2. Pat Riley

3. Red Auerbach

4. Larry Brown

5. Don Nelson

Referees:

1. Richard “Dick” Bavetta

2. Joey Crawford

3. Marvin “Mendy” Rudolph

Contributors:

4. David Stern

5. Howard Garfinkel

You can access the NBA Hall of Fame list here.

Wrapping Things Up: How Many NBA Hall of Famers are There?

The NBA Hall of Fame is a tribute to the extraordinary skills and notable contributions made by players, coaches, referees, and other individuals who have played a significant role in shaping the rich history of basketball. 

Among the 178 enshrined players, approximately 100 have not won an NBA championship, demonstrating that personal achievements and influence on the game are equally vital for induction. Esteemed inductees such as Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Phil Jackson inspire future generations to pursue excellence in their basketball careers. 

Thus, whether an iconic player or a brilliant coach, the NBA Hall of Fame recognizes and preserves the legacies of those who have devoted their lives to basketball.

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.

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