Hall of Fame inductee on AI: 'It will always stand for Allen Iverson'

WNBA legend Candace Parker paid tribute to Allen Iverson during her Hall of Fame speech, insisting that "AI" will always stand for Allen Iverson. She made sure there was no confusion about what the initials "AI" mean to her while delivering her Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement speech. Parker, a position SG at age 51, was officially enshrined as a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in Springfield. With Allen Iverson standing alongside her as one of her Hall of Fame presenters, Parker delivered one of the most memorable lines of the ceremony: "AI will always stand for Allen Iverson. I don't care what today says. It will always stand for Allen Iverson." Parker's comment drew a clear distinction between the modern use of "AI" as shorthand for artificial intelligence and what those initials have long meant in basketball. For Parker, they still belong to Iverson, the former Philadelphia 76ers superstar and 2001 NBA MVP whose influence went far beyond his accomplishments on the court. The moment added a lighthearted touch to an emotional speech in which Parker reflected on her basketball journey and the people who helped her reach the Hall of Fame. Parker's Hall of Fame career included winning three WNBA championships (2016 with Los Angeles Sparks, 2021 with Chicago Sky, 2023 with Las Vegas Aces), being named WNBA MVP twice (2008, 2013), and earning Finals MVP honors in 2016. She also made history as the first player to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season (2008). Beyond the WNBA, Parker won two NCAA championships with Tennessee and two Olympic gold medals with Team USA. The 2026 Hall of Fame class included major names from both men's and women's basketball, such as Candace Parker, Amar'e Stoudemire, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw, Doc Rivers, Mark Few, Joey Crawford, Mike D'Antoni, and the 1996 United States Women's National Team.