This report details the recent announcements regarding the Naismith Awards for high school basketball in 2026. The Naismith Awards, a prominent basketball honor, has revealed its watch list and finalists for various categories, including Coach of the Year and Player of the Year. These announcements highlight standout individuals in the high school basketball landscape, reflecting achievements in coaching, player performance, and Hall of Fame inductions. The process involves selection committees and culminates in the recognition of top talent across different facets of the sport.
Key Figures and Recent Developments
The Naismith Awards have been active in publicizing their selections for 2026. Recent news cycles have focused on:
Coach of the Year Watch List: Although not explicitly detailed in the provided data, the existence of a "2026 high school boys basketball Coach of the Year Watch List" is indicated.
Player of the Year Finalists: A condensed list of five top high school players has been announced.
Hall of Fame Finalists: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has also unveiled its 2026 finalists, including players, coaches, and referees.
Past Awardees: Andrew Moran was named the Naismith National High School Boys Basketball Coach of the Year for 2025.
Finalists for Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year (2026)
The field for the Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year award has been narrowed down to five finalists. These athletes have demonstrated exceptional skill and impact on the court.
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Darius Acuff Jr. - IMG Academy (FL)
Nate Ament - Highland School (VA)
Cameron Boozer - Christopher Columbus (FL)
A.J. Dybantsa - Utah Prep
Darryn Peterson - Prolific Prep (CA)
All five finalists were selected to participate in the McDonald's All-American game, scheduled for April 1 at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn.
Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Finalists
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced its list of finalists for the 2026 induction class. This group represents a wide array of contributions to the sport.
North American Committee Finalists:
| Category | Name |
|---|---|
| Referee | Joey Crawford |
| Coach | Mark Few |
| Player | Blake Griffin |
| Player | Kevin Johnson |
| Coach | Gary McKnight |
| Coach | Dick Motta |
| Coach | Doc Rivers |
| Coach | Kelvin Sampson |
| Player | Amar’e Stoudemire |
| Coach | Jerry Welsh |
| Player | Buck Williams |
Other Committee Finalists:
Women’s Committee: Jennifer Azzi, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw, Candace Parker
Women’s Veteran Committee: Molly Bolin-Kazmer
International Committee: Dušan Ivković
Contributors Committee: Marques Johnson
Veterans Committee: (Specific names not detailed)
Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, stated that the finalists "represent the full scope of basketball’s impact."
Andrew Moran's 2025 Coach of the Year Award
Andrew Moran, head boys basketball coach at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida, was named the Naismith National High School Boys Basketball Coach of the Year for 2025.
Team Success: Moran led Christopher Columbus to four state championships and a No. 1 national ranking.
Notable Players: He coached highly-touted prospects Cameron and Cayden Boozer, both heading to Duke University, and Jaxon Richardson.
Championship Appearances: His team clinched the No. 1 seed in the Chipotle Nationals.
Previous Recognition: Moran was a finalist for the award in 2024, finishing second behind Kevin Boyle of Montverde Academy.
Notable Achievements of Hall of Fame Finalists
Several Hall of Fame finalists have notable careers that led to their recognition:
Mark Few: A two-time Naismith Coach of the Year, he has guided Gonzaga to two NCAA championship game appearances and 25 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.
Doc Rivers: A former NBA point guard, Rivers is sixth on the NBA’s all-time coaching wins list and fourth in playoff victories.
Candace Parker: Won the Naismith College Player of the Year and NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player award in 1997, leading Stanford to a national title. She later won three WNBA titles and two league MVPs.
Chamique Holdsclaw: Led Tennessee to three consecutive national titles and had an 11-year WNBA career with six All-Star selections.
The provided information also mentions other coaches with significant win totals, such as a coach with over 1,300 high school victories in California and another who achieved nearly 1,200 career NBA wins.
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Conclusion
The Naismith Awards continue to be a significant marker of excellence in basketball. The 2026 announcements for Player of the Year finalists and Hall of Fame candidates highlight both current high school talent and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the sport. Andrew Moran's 2025 Coach of the Year award underscores consistent success at the high school level. The ongoing evaluation and selection processes by the Naismith committees are crucial for recognizing and celebrating the achievements within the basketball community, from the grassroots level to professional and international stages.
Sources:
Andrew Moran named Naismith high school basketball coach of the year: https://www.si.com/high-school/florida/andrew-moran-named-naismith-high-school-basketball-coach-of-the-year-01jp88zbgavr (Published March 13, 2025)
Five finalists remain for Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year | Zagsblog: https://www.zagsblog.com/2025/02/20/five-finalists-remain-for-naismith-boys-high-school-player-of-the-year/ (Published January 17, 2026)
Blake Griffin, Candace Parker, Doc Rivers among 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame finalists: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/blake-griffin-candace-parker-doc-rivers-naismith-hall-fame-finalists/ (Published February 12, 2026)
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Finalists: https://www.wnba.com/news/naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame-2026-finalists (Published February 12, 2026)
