Jamal Crawford and Brandon Roy were announced as official nominees for the 2026 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Courtesy of Twitter
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Jamal Crawford and Brandon Roy as official nominees for the class of 2026 on December 19, 2025. The finalists will be announced on ESPN on February 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. The distinction draws a sharp line between statistical longevity and cultural impact within the Pacific Northwest.
Reggie Miller viewed Crawford’s induction as a procedural formality rather than a debate. Miller cited Crawford’s three Sixth Man of the Year awards, a record shared with Lou Williams, as sufficient evidence of game-changing ability. He admitted the process is subjective but categorized Crawford as “absolutely deserving.’
“First of all, for my coworker here at NBC and what he accomplished during his time at Turner, it’s a no-brainer for me. Three-time Sixth Man of the Year — he’s the kind of player who really changed the game with his ability to handle and score. I know these decisions can be subjective at times, but in my view, he’s absolutely deserving.”
Miller took a different angle on Brandon Roy, acknowledging the brevity of his career. He pointed to the respect Roy commended from peers like Kobe Bryant during that era as the primary driver for his candidacy. Miller noted voters must weigh, “what would have happened against the hard data.
“With Brandon, I think it’s going to be very interesting. People will always wonder what would have happened if he had never been injured. When you talk to his peers from that era — guys like Kobe and others — they’ll tell you he was that guy in Portland. So it’ll be interesting to see what the voters think.”
Miller added, “I believe both of them should be in. I have a lot of respect for both of them, especially having played the same position and knowing how difficult it can be. It’s an honor just to be nominated, but it’s even better when you actually get in.”
Victor Wembanyama offered a modern perspective on Crawford’s lingering influence. The Spurs center highlighted his utility as a teacher and his on-court swagger. Wembanyama characterized his recent workouts with Crawford as a transfer of institutional knowledge.
“He’s one of my favorite players to watch. Just his demeanor and his swagger — he’s such an entertaining player. He’s played on exciting teams and has always brought that energy. He’s also a great teacher. Getting to know him and work with him for a few days was a great experience.”
Brian Scalabrine provided operational context for both Brandon Roy and Jamal Crawford prior to the trajectory. He recalled Crawford’s decision to bypass college eligibility after a dominant performance at the draft combine. Scalabrine expressed shock at Crawford’s evolution from a tentative prospect into a legendary sixth man.
“Let me start with Jamal. He wasn’t even sure he was going to make it to the NBA at first — he just wanted to test the waters. He told me, ‘Man, I had a great day at the combine. I was balling, so I decided to stay in.’ I congratulated him, but I never imagined he’d turn into what he became — an all-time, legendary Sixth Man.”
Salabrine’s assessment of Roy centered on a demoralizing workout session in Seattle. He described a collegiate Roy “busting him up” during practice, forcing Scalabrine to question why Roy was not already in the league. He labeled Roy as one of the hardest-working people he had ever encountered.
“With Brandon Roy, I remember going up to Seattle to work out, and he was busting me up. I didn’t even know him at the time. I’m thinking, ‘Why are you still in college?’ And he says, ‘I’ve got one more year.’ I couldn’t believe it — he was giving me everything I could handle, and I was already in the NBA. That’s when I knew he was going to be special. He was so skilled, so tough. I just wish he hadn’t gotten hurt, because I would’ve loved to see what he ultimately could have become. One of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet.”
Former Seattle Sonic and NBA Champion Rashard Lewis validated the regional significance of dual nominations. Lewis recalled Roy’s dominance at the University of Washington and Crawford’s high school session at the Sonics’ practice facility. He framed the nominations as a victory for the Seattle basketball ecosystem.
“I think it’s amazing, especially considering both of those guys are from the Seattle area and are legends there. I remember playing Brandon Roy when I was with the Sonics — we used to go up to the University of Washington, and he was a killer in college.
And Jamal Crawford — I played against him when he was just graduating from high school, right before he went to Michigan. He came into our practice facility, ran with us in open gym, and put in serious work. It’s incredible, especially for the Seattle area. Those guys are legendary figures, particularly for the kids in the Pacific Northwest. I’m really excited for them. They truly deserve it.”
Meanwhile, Jeff Green kept his assessment of Crawford strictly professional. He argued that Crawford did not merely play a role; he elevated the Sixth Man position to a Hall of Fame standard. Green asserted that Crawford put up the necessary numbers to justify the induction.
“He’s definitely a Hall of Famer — someone who truly elevated the Sixth Man of the Year role. He put up Hall of Fame numbers and had an outstanding career.”
In response to Crawford’s Hall of Fame nomination and Roy’s legacy, Jason Kidd echoed those sentiments, calling both players true professionals who elevated every team they touched.
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