The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame welcomed its distinguished Class of 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts, an eight-person class of basketball luminaries including NBA stars Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony, WNBA legends Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles, alongside coach Billy Donovan, managing general partner Micky Arison, and longtime referee Danny Crawford. The 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball "Redeem Team," which both Anthony and Howard were part of, was also honored with enshrinement. The induction ceremony on September 6 celebrated an exceptional group responsible for numerous championships, Olympic gold medals, and individual accolades across their careers.

Dwight Howard's induction as a first-ballot Hall of Famer acknowledges his era of dominance, despite a perception by some that he is underrated. Howard's impressive resume includes eight All-Star selections, eight All-NBA honors, and a remarkable three consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, a feat matched by only three other players. His exclusion from the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, despite having at least five first-team All-NBA nods (a criterion met by only 26 players, with Howard being the only modern player among them not to make the 75th team), underscores this perceived oversight. During his peak, particularly his first eight seasons, Howard amassed significantly more "wins above replacement" (78.6 WAR) than Robert Parish (54.3 WAR), earning eight career All-NBA teams compared to Parish's two. His five consecutive first-team All-NBA selections place him among an elite group of only 19 players in NBA history, with other centers like Shaquille O'Neal and George Mikan, and modern legends such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan. While Howard's game had "warts"—including a career 57% free-throw shooting, more turnovers than assists, and inefficient post-scoring later in his career—he was a legitimate top-five player for his entire peak, consistently finishing high in MVP voting (second, fourth, fourth, fifth, and seventh in five seasons). He was a durable two-way force, playing at least 78 games in his first seven seasons. Howard was instrumental in the Orlando Magic's pioneering offensive strategy under Stan Van Gundy, anchoring a defense that allowed the lowest rate of shots at the rim while his teammates embraced a high volume of three-pointers. He led the NBA in dunks for six straight seasons and was central to the Magic's 2009 Eastern Conference Finals upset over the 66-win Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in that postseason. Howard also contributed to the 2008 "Redeem Team" and revitalized the All-Star Weekend dunk contest. Although his career saw him become an "NBA vagabond" after leaving Orlando in 2012 and undergoing back surgery, he earned an NBA championship as a key rotation player with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. His Hall of Fame speech, delivered with characteristic playfulness, honored his parents and other great centers.

Carmelo Anthony, recognized as one of the sport's purest scorers and most decorated players, also joined the Hall of Fame. His singular season at Syracuse University in 2002-03 was unprecedented, culminating in the program's first and only men's basketball title, with Anthony named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Despite not winning an NBA championship in his 19 seasons, Anthony's career is marked by immense individual accomplishments and has largely managed to avoid the "ring-obsessed discourse." He ranks 10th on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 28,289 points, is a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, and a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. He also boasts an impressive international career, securing four Olympic medals, including three gold, and holds the USA scoring record for points in a single Olympic game (37 points in just 14 minutes against Nigeria in 2012). Anthony's career is often discussed with "what-if" scenarios, such as the Detroit Pistons drafting him instead of Darko Milicic in 2003, or him joining LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in 2010. He explained his decision to stay with Denver was rooted in his reluctance to be a fourth option at that stage of his career. However, he thrived as "Olympic Melo" on the 2008 "Redeem Team," where he was a key scorer and helped foster team chemistry. His tenure with the New York Knicks saw him win the scoring title in 2013, averaging 28.7 points per game, and elevate the franchise, making Madison Square Garden electric again. After a period out of the league due to injury and being waived by Houston, a spot opened up with the Portland Trail Blazers due to Pau Gasol's injury, allowing Anthony to make a final career flourish, ultimately cracking the top 10 on the NBA's all-time scoring list. He retired with the most career go-ahead field goals in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime since play-by-play tracking began. The practice facility at Syracuse now bears his name, the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center.

The Class of 2025 also celebrated WNBA icons Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles, marking the first time three WNBA players were inducted in the same year. Bird, known for her longevity with the Seattle Storm, leads the WNBA in games, assists, and minutes played, boasting four WNBA championships and two NCAA titles. Fowles, a WNBA MVP and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, also secured two WNBA titles. Moore, an MVP and four-time WNBA champion, notably retired early from basketball to focus on social justice issues, now dedicating her efforts to building "championship communities." All three women played together and won Olympic gold medals for the U.S. The 2008 "Redeem Team," inducted as a unit, was highlighted for its mission to reclaim respect for U.S. basketball after previous disappointments, achieving an 8-0 record and a gold medal in Beijing. Coach Mike Krzyzewski and players like LeBron James emphasized the team's commitment and the leadership of Kobe Bryant. Billy Donovan, a two-time NCAA champion coach for Florida and 2020 NBCA co-Coach of the Year in the NBA, Micky Arison, owner of the three-time NBA champion Miami Heat since 1995, and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford, who officiated over 2,000 regular-season games and 30 NBA Finals games, completed this remarkable Hall of Fame class. Their collective achievements signify a monumental moment in basketball history.