Diana Taurasi and Sandy Brondello Lead 2027 Hall of Fame Class

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame announced its 2027 induction class on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Six people will be enshrined at a ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, June 26, 2027.

Diana Taurasi and Sandy Brondello are the two biggest names on the list.

Taurasi retired on February 25, 2025, as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer.

She is the only player in league history to score more than 10,000 points.

She spent her entire WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury and won three championships.

Brondello coached the Mercury to the 2014 title alongside Taurasi, earning WNBA Coach of the Year honors that same season.

She is now the head coach of the Toronto Tempo, an expansion franchise that finished its first season at 11-33.

The Hall of Fame class also includes Mike Thibault, a three-time WNBA Coach of the Year who won championships with the Washington Mystics.

Dee Kantner, a longtime WNBA referee, is also being inducted.

Dr. Judith Holland, the former director of women’s athletics at UCLA, rounds out the contributors.

Molly Bolin Kazmer, nicknamed “Machine Gun Molly,” is the sixth inductee.

She was a star in the 6-on-6 version of girls’ and women’s basketball popular in states like Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma.

As a senior at Moravia High School in Iowa, Bolin Kazmer averaged 54.8 points per game.

Michelle Marciniak, CEO of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, released a statement on the selection.

“For nearly thirty years, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame has honored the greatest of the game, and we are thrilled to welcome these six inductees into the distinguished seats of the Hall of Fame,” Marciniak said.

“Selection for this esteemed recognition celebrates the hard work, success, and record-breaking journeys for those to join this global class.”

“We cannot wait to welcome the Class of 2027.”

The Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

It honors the greatest players, coaches, contributors and officials in women’s basketball history.

Taurasi’s resume is among the most decorated in the sport’s history.

She was an All-WNBA selection 14 times and led the league in scoring five times.

She holds the WNBA records for most three-pointers made and most free throws made.

Before her professional career, Taurasi played at the University of Connecticut under coach Geno Auriemma.

She led UConn to three national championships.

She was twice named the Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four.

In 2003, she was the consensus National Player of the Year.

Taurasi owns six Olympic gold medals — more than any other basketball player in the history of the event.

She also has three FIBA World Cup gold medals.

While playing overseas in Russia and Turkey, she won six EuroLeague championships.

Brondello’s coaching career is equally impressive.

She has coached in the WNBA since 2005 and has spent 14 seasons as a head coach.

She took over the Mercury in 2014, winning Coach of the Year and a championship in the same season.

She then helmed the New York Liberty from 2022 to 2025.

Brondello led the Liberty to their first WNBA title in 2024 and a Commissioner’s Cup crown in 2023.

She has made four WNBA Finals appearances as a head coach.

Brondello also represented her home country of Australia as both a player and a coach.

She led the Australian Opals to Olympic bronze at the 2024 Paris Games.

She also guided Australia to FIBA World Cup silver medals in 2018 and 2022.

On October 20, 2026, Brondello was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

She became the first head coach of the Toronto Tempo on November 4, 2025, after her contract with the Liberty was not renewed.