Steve Nash to Present Mike D’Antoni at 2026 Naismith Hall of Fame Ceremony

Steve Nash will stand alongside the game’s legends again when he presents Mike D’Antoni at the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.

What happened?

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the presenters for the Class of 2026 on Thursday. Nash, a 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, will introduce D’Antoni during the ceremony on Saturday, August 15, at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts. The event marks the formal induction of eight new members, including D’Antoni, Chamique Holdsclaw, Candace Parker, and others.

D’Antoni’s presenters include Jerry Colangelo, Bob McAdoo, Nash, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Rod Thorn. Each 2026 inductee chose their presenters from previously inducted Hall of Famers. The 1996 USA Basketball Women’s National Team will be presented by its own enshrined members.

Why it matters for Steve Nash

This isn’t Nash’s first time on the Hall of Fame stage as a presenter. In 2018, he inducted Grant Hill. Now, eight years later, he returns to guide another future Hall of Famer into the sport’s highest honor. The pairing underscores Nash’s standing among the game’s brightest minds.

Nash and D’Antoni share a deep NBA history. Both starred in the 2000s, with D’Antoni coaching Nash’s Phoenix Suns to seven straight 50-win seasons. Their seven-year run included two Western Conference Finals appearances in 2007 and 2010.

Who else will present?

The Hall of Fame released the full presenter list Thursday. Elena Delle Donne’s presenters are Sylvia Fowles and Marianne Stanley. Doc Rivers will be introduced by Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Amar’e Stoudemire’s presenters include Jerry Colangelo, Mike D’Antoni, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Nash, and Rick Welts.

Over 50 Hall of Famers are expected in Springfield for the ceremony. NBA TV will carry live coverage of the event, with tickets still available online.

What comes next?

The Enshrinement Ceremony kicks off August 15 at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can follow updates on hoophall.com/events/enshrinement-2026/ or via @hoophall on X and Instagram. The Hall of Fame also plans to stream the event for global audiences.