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Our Mission

As a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame benefits from the generosity of others to help fulfill its mission.

“To honor and celebrate basketball’s greatest moments and people” via:

  • The integrity of the HOF election process
  • Educational and outreach initiatives
  • The world’s finest sports museum
  • Traveling exhibits that enrich and educate
  • Worldwide events actively involving all fans

Since its creation in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891, basketball has reached across all boundaries and become an iconic international game. For the many millions of people who have played, coached and refereed the game for more than a century, there are less than 500 people who have joined the ‘best of the best’ and earned the title “Hall of Famer:. To reach this level, they are voted on by individuals knowledgeable about the game of basketball. Click here to see how the election process works.

Since 2002, the Basketball Hall of Fame has taken the announcement of the electees each year on the road.Special friends of the Hall of Fame have a unique opportunity to be a part of history in the making as the first people to meet the Class during Final Four weekend.