KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026, honoring three legendary players and three iconic coaches whose collegiate careers represent the highest levels of achievement in the history of the game. The class includes High Point University Men's Basketball alumni (1969-1973), Head Coach (2018-2022) and Athletics Hall of Fame inductee (2016), Tubby Smith, who spent 31-years coaching at the Division I level across seven schools and won the 1998 National Championship.
Tubby Smith – Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas Tech, Memphis and High Point
One of the most accomplished and respected coaches in college basketball history, Smith built a remarkable career spanning more than three decades and seven Division I programs.
Smith's career was highlighted by leading Kentucky to the 1998 national championship in his first season with the Wildcats. He guided five different programs to the NCAA Tournament and earned national and conference coaching honors throughout his career.
Known for his leadership, player development, and sustained success, Smith compiled nearly 650 victories during his distinguished head-coaching career.
Tubby Smith's Coaching Career
- Schools: Tulsa (1991-95), Georgia (1995-97), Kentucky (1997-2007), Minnesota (2007-13), Texas Tech (2013-16), Memphis (2016-18), High Point (2018-22)
- Career Record: 642-370 (.634)
- 1998 NCAA National Champion
- 2003 Naismith College Coach of the Year, AP College Basketball Coach of the Year, NABC Coach of the Year, and USBWA Henry Iba Award
- Five-time SEC regular-season champion
- Five-time SEC Tournament champion
- Three-time SEC Coach of the Year
- Two-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year
- 2016 Big 12 Coach of the Year
- Led five different programs to the NCAA Tournament
Joining Smith in the induction is national championship coach Jay Wright, longtime Kansas coach Ted Owens, BYU superstar Danny Ainge, Michigan scoring ace Glen Rice and the late UCLA legend Walt Hazzard.
Each induction class is selected by the Blue Ribbon Selection Committee, comprised of college basketball executives and respected leaders around the country, and administered by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Foundation.
The Class of 2026 will be formally enshrined during the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Celebration presented by UMB Private Wealth Management on Oct. 22, 2026, at the College Basketball Experience in Kansas City, Missouri.
"The Class of 2026 represents the very best of college basketball—individuals whose performance, leadership, and impact helped shape the game at the highest level," said Kevin Henderson, CEO of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. "Their legacies will forever be preserved as part of the sport's rich history."
This year marks the 20th class to be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. It started in 2006 with a historic group of honorees featuring John Wooden, Dean Smith, Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell.
#GoHPU x #OnTheProwl
