Brooklyn Nets alumni emerge as top Naismith Hall of Fame candidates

Following the recent Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, attention is turning toward the next class of inductees. Among the 247 eligible players, 11 former Brooklyn Nets players rank in the top 50 for win shares, a key metric used to evaluate candidacy.

Buck Williams, who played for the Nets from 1981 to 1989, holds the second-highest win shares among the eligible group. His accolades include three All-Star selections, four All-Defensive Team honors, and the 1981 Rookie of the Year award. LaMarcus Aldridge ranks fourth in win shares, while Jason Terry is 15th. Other notable former Nets players in the top 50 include Paul Millsap, P.J. Brown, and Clifford Robinson.

In the most recent induction cycle, Mike D’Antoni and Amar’e Stoudemire were honored. While both had brief stints as assistant coaches for the Nets, they were recognized for their broader contributions to the sport.