Danny Ainge credited Brigham Young University for changing his life during his induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame on Oct. 22, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. The induction follows his selection to the Class of 2026, which was first announced by the National Association of Basketball Coaches Foundation on July 13, 2026.
Gratitude for BYU Mentors
During the induction ceremony at the College Basketball Experience, Ainge expressed deep gratitude for his collegiate career. He specifically credited Frank Arnold and Roger Reid for their significant influence on his life and career during his tenure at BYU.
A Legendary BYU Career
Ainge's collegiate career at BYU spanned from 1977 to 1981, a period during which he became one of the most decorated players in the program's history. He is remembered for a pivotal coast-to-coast drive and game-winning layup against Notre Dame in the 1981 NCAA Tournament, a play that sent the Cougars to the Elite Eight.
Award-Winning Senior Season
As a senior in 1981, Ainge averaged 24.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 82.4 percent from the free-throw line. That same season, he earned the John R. Wooden Award as the nation's outstanding player, was named the NABC National Player of the Year, and was a consensus First-Team All-American.
Program Records and Statistics
Ainge's statistical impact at BYU remains significant. He finished his career with 2,467 points, ranking third on the program's all-time scoring list behind Tyler Haws and Jimmer Fredette. He also holds program records for career field goals made with 987 and for consecutive double-figure scoring games with 112.
The Class of 2026
The Class of 2026, which Ainge joined following his July 13 announcement, features a mix of legendary players and coaches. The group includes national championship coaches Jay Wright and Tubby Smith, alongside longtime Kansas coach Ted Owens and Michigan scoring ace Glen Rice. The class also honors the late UCLA legend Walt Hazzard.
Honoring Coaching and Playing Legacies
The coaching inductees include Jay Wright, who led Villanova to national championships in 2016 and 2018, and Tubby Smith, who led Kentucky to a national championship in 1998. Ted Owens, who coached at Kansas and Oral Roberts, was also honored. The player inductees are Ainge, Glen Rice—who helped lead Michigan to a 1989 national championship—and Walt Hazzard, who led UCLA to a perfect 30–0 season and a national championship in 1964.
A 20-Year Legacy of Excellence
The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, administered by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Foundation, celebrated its 20th induction class on Oct. 22, 2026. The institution first began inducting classes in 2006 with a group that included John Wooden, Dean Smith, Oscar Robertson, and Bill Russell.
