The Phoenix Suns will have even more representation in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as head coach Mike D’Antoni has officially been selected for enshrinement. It’s a fitting honor for a coach who helped redefine how the game is played, especially during his time in Phoenix. Pace, space, and offensive freedom became more than philosophy during his time in Phoenix from 2004 to 2008, it became identity.
In a statement from the organization:
PHOENIX – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that former Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni is among the Class of 2026 to be enshrined this August.
“Mike’s forward thinking forever changed the game of basketball while leading some of the greatest teams in Suns history,” said Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner. “This honor reflects the lasting mark he has made on the sport.”
D’Antoni compiled a 253-136 (.650) record across five seasons as head coach of the Suns from 2003-08, the second-best winning percentage in franchise history. He won the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2004-05 after going 62-20, tying what was then the franchise best record in a season and the third-largest single-season turnaround in league history. D’Antoni created the ‘7 Seconds or Less’ offense during his time with the Suns, an innovative approach that revolutionized the game with its pace, spacing and three-point volume. The Suns won three Pacific Division titles and made two trips to the Conference Finals in four playoff appearances during D’Antoni’s tenure as the team’s head coach.
Across 16 total seasons as an NBA head coach with the Denver Nuggets, Suns, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, D’Antoni amassed a record of 672-527 (.560) with 10 playoff berths. He won a second NBA Coach of the Year award with Houston in 2016-17 and totaled 10 Conference Coach of the Month honors throughout his career. D’Antoni, who is of Italian descent and played for the Italian national team, began his coaching career in the Lega Basket Serie A, Italy’s top-tier league. He also served as an assistant coach with USA Basketball at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012, helping the U.S. to two gold medals.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will host Enshrinement Weekend for its Class of 2026 from August 14-15 in Springfield, Mass.
He now joins a group of Suns legends already in the Hall, including Cotton Fitzsimmons, Paul Westphal, and Jerry Colangelo, further cementing the franchise’s imprint on the history of the game.
