Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are among the first candidates announced for the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Along with Anthony and Howard, Marc Gasol, Amar’e Stoudemire, Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles, Chamique Holdsclaw, Doc Rivers, Billy Donovan, Micky Arrison, Mark Few, and Lisa Bulder are candidates.
The Basketball Hall of Fame board of governors spoke about the change in their requirements, reducing their waiting period for players from three full seasons out of the game to just two full seasons of the game. They noted that they wanted to have a more timely recognition of amazing players and their careers going forward.
“To better recognize the distinguished careers of potential first-ballot nominees in a more timely manner, the board has appropriately shortened the waiting period. We are excited about this change and believe that honoring individuals while their contributions are still fresh in people’s minds is both meaningful and impactful.”
Carmelo Anthony was actually nominated twice this year, as the 2008 Team USA squad was also among the nominees. To see Anthony be nominated is truly special. Carmelo Anthony is considered one of the greatest players of all time. Anthony was a maverick during his time in the league, putting on amazing scoring performances on a nightly basis.
Dwight Howard also had an amazing NBA career, one that has seemingly ended, despite Howard’s efforts to make a return since leaving the league in 2022. With eight All-Star nominations, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and an NBA championship win with the Lakers in 2020, Howard has certainly earned his place in the Hall of Fame.
Marc Gasol also had a fantastic career in the NBA. A three-time All-Star and a former Defensive Player of the Year, Gasol put the exclamation point on a great career with a phenomenal NBA championship win in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors.
Amar’e Stoudemire is arguably one of the most underrated players of his generation. An amazing power forward, Stoudemire was a sensational scorer for teams like the Knicks, Heat, and Suns during the peak of his career.
Dwight Howard Insists Career Isn’t Over
Dwight Howard responded to his nomination to the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame class, noting that while he appreciated the nomination, his career isn’t over just yet. As mentioned above, Howard has been targeting a return to the NBA since leaving in 2022 and has been playing official and amateur basketball abroad.
I’m not retired yet but I’ll take it 😅 I’m extremely grateful I just pray they don’t do me like they did the last list🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/xt1tIkHBTY
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) December 20, 2024
Most recently, Howard lobbied to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder after Chet Holmgren suffered a major injury. Howard has spent the last few years playing overseas, in Taiwan, and most recently, the Phillipines. Howard even became a team owner in Taiwan.
Howard’s attempts to make a return to the NBA have not worked out well. And despite retiring from the NBA a few years ago, he has stayed persistent in trying to find a way back to the league. But when reflecting on his decision to retire, Howard seemed fulfilled with the career he had.
With Howard seemingly declaring that his career isn’t over, this could impact his induction into the Hall of Fame. The rules stipulate that an active player cannot be inducted, and Howard will have to wait till his career is over to finally be enshrined in history among his peers.
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