Greensboro, N.C., January 6, 2026
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame has revealed its 2026 induction class, featuring 11 notable athletes and coaches who have greatly influenced the state’s athletic heritage. Among the inductees are Tyler Hansbrough, Leonard Hamilton, and Kelvin Sampson, recognized for their remarkable accomplishments across various sports, including basketball and tennis. The induction ceremony is set to take place at the Sheraton at Four Seasons Convention Center in Greensboro, celebrating a rich legacy of sporting excellence in North Carolina.
Greensboro, N.C.
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled its 11-person induction class for 2026, featuring a distinguished group of athletes and coaches whose achievements have significantly impacted the state’s athletic landscape. The new class includes legendary college basketball figures Tyler Hansbrough, Leonard Hamilton, and Kelvin Sampson, alongside accomplished individuals from golf, speed skating, football, tennis, soccer, and wrestling. The induction ceremony, marking the 62nd annual celebration, is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Sheraton at Four Seasons Convention Center in Greensboro.
A Legacy of Sporting Excellence
The 2026 class reflects a diverse range of sports and contributions, honoring those who have excelled at high school, collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels within North Carolina and beyond. Rick Webb, president of the Hall of Fame, stated that this class truly represents the best in North Carolina sports and continues the mission to honor individuals whose achievements and leadership have shaped the state’s rich sports legacy. With these 11 new members, the total number of inductees in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame will reach 433.
Distinguished Inductees and Their Achievements
Among the notable inductees is Tyler Hansbrough, a power forward who holds the Atlantic Coast Conference’s (ACC) all-time scoring record with 2,872 points. He also holds the NCAA career record for made free throws with 982. Hansbrough, a unanimous National Player of the Year in 2008, led the University of North Carolina men’s basketball program to a national championship in 2009. He earned first-team All-America honors in each of his four seasons, a feat not seen since the 1940s.
Kelvin Sampson, a Pembroke native and current head basketball coach at the University of Houston, is the first Native American elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Sampson has guided his teams to multiple Sweet 16 appearances and two Final Fours. Last year, he led the Cougars to a school-record 35 wins and a No. 2 final national ranking.
Leonard Hamilton, from Gastonia, is recognized as the winningest basketball coach in Florida State history, with a record of 460-296. He ranks fifth in all-time ACC victories and has been named national Coach of the Year three times. Hamilton’s coaching career includes leading college programs at Oklahoma State and Miami, along with a year coaching the NBA’s Washington Wizards.
John Isner, a Greensboro native, is celebrated for his illustrious tennis career. Known for his powerful serve, he recorded an ATP-leading 14,411 career aces and won 16 ATP titles. Isner played the longest match in tennis history, an 11-hour, 5-minute contest at Wimbledon in 2010. He was the top-ranked American tennis player for eight years and maintained a top-20 world ranking for 10 consecutive seasons.
High Point native Heather Bergsma transitioned from in-line skating to become an Olympic speed skater. She competed in three Olympics, earning a bronze medal in team pursuit at the 2018 Winter Games. Bergsma won 88 World Cup speed skating medals, including 34 gold, and was a four-time world champion in the 1,000 meters. She held four world records during her career.
Soccer star Eddie Pope, a High Point native, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1996 Major League Soccer (MLS) Draft after starring at the University of North Carolina. He helped D.C. United win the inaugural MLS Cup and was named the 1997 MLS Defensive Player of the Year. Pope earned five MLS All-Star selections and represented the U.S. in 82 international matches with the Men’s National Team.
Golfer Chip Beck, from Fayetteville, is a four-time winner on the PGA TOUR and participated in three Ryder Cup teams. He achieved the second 59 in TOUR history during the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational. Beck spent 40 weeks ranked among the top 10 players in the world.
Hamlet native Louis Breeden was a standout at North Carolina Central, leading the football team in interceptions for three consecutive seasons. He played 10 years for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, where he was a first-team All-Pro selection in 1982 and recorded 33 career interceptions.
Richard Huntley, a former Winston-Salem State football standout, is the CIAA’s all-time leading rusher with 6,286 yards and scored 57 touchdowns, holding the conference career scoring record with 368 points. He played six seasons in the NFL after being drafted by Atlanta in 1996.
Posthumous inductee Norvell Lee, a Smithfield native, is best known for his coaching career in basketball. He compiled a record of 455-133 in 26 seasons at Goldsboro High School, where his teams won 19 conference titles. Lee also led St. Augustine’s College to its first CIAA Tournament championship.
Finally, Jerry Winterton from Cary is a legendary high school wrestling coach. His teams achieved 11 state titles and boasted an impressive 620-16 career record, including 540-3 in regular-season dual meets.
Induction Ceremony Details
The 62nd annual induction celebration will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. at the Sheraton at Four Seasons Convention Center in Greensboro. Further information regarding tickets for the event will be announced at a later date.
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame Mission
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, established in 1962, serves to honor the men and women whose athletic achievements and leadership have significantly shaped the sports legacy of the state. The Hall’s mission is to celebrate the incredible diversity of excellence across various levels of competition, preserving the stories of these legends for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame?
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame is an organization established in 1962 to honor men and women whose athletic achievements and leadership have significantly shaped the sports legacy of North Carolina.
Who are some of the prominent inductees in the 2026 class?
Some of the prominent inductees in the 2026 class include college basketball figures Tyler Hansbrough, Leonard Hamilton, and Kelvin Sampson, along with tennis star John Isner, speed skater Heather Bergsma, and soccer player Eddie Pope.
When and where will the 2026 induction ceremony take place?
The 2026 induction ceremony, which is the 62nd annual celebration, will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. at the Sheraton at Four Seasons Convention Center in Greensboro.
How many individuals are being inducted into the 2026 class?
There are 11 individuals being inducted into the 2026 class of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
What is the total number of members in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame after this induction?
After the induction of the 2026 class, the total number of members in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame will be 433.
Key Features of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame 2026 Class
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Induction Year | 2026 |
| Number of Inductees | 11 |
| Total Members (post-2026) | 433 |
| Induction Ceremony Date | Friday, May 1, 2026 |
| Induction Ceremony Location | Sheraton at Four Seasons Convention Center, Greensboro |
| Notable Inductees | Tyler Hansbrough (Basketball), Leonard Hamilton (Basketball Coach), Kelvin Sampson (Basketball Coach), John Isner (Tennis), Heather Bergsma (Speed Skating), Eddie Pope (Soccer) |
| Diversity of Sports | Basketball, Golf, Speed Skating, Football, Tennis, Soccer, Wrestling |
| Historical Significance | 62nd annual induction celebration |
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