Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 1986
The 6-member Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 1986 was highlighted by the enshrinements of Billy Cunningham and Tom Heinsohn.
| Hall of Famer | Category | Committee | Position |
| Billy Cunningham | Player | North American | F-C |
| Tom Heinsohn | Player | North American | F-C |
| Stanley Watts | Coach | North American | |
| Red Holzman | Coach | North American | |
| Fred Taylor | Coach | North American | |
| Red Mihalik | Referee | North American | |
Finalists Who Didn't Make the Cut in 1986
| Finalist | Category | Committee | Eventually Inducted |
| Dick McGuire | Player | NA | 1993 |
| Arnie Ferrin | Player | NA | Not Yet |
| Bob Houbregs | Player | NA | 1987 |
| Joe Fortenberry | Player | NA | Not Yet |
| Bob McDermott | Player | NA | 1988 |
| Bobby Wanzer | Player | NA | 1987 |
| Cam Henderson | Coach | NA | Not Yet |
| Joe Hutton | Coach | NA | Not Yet |
| Joe Mullaney | Coach | NA | Not Yet |
| Bernard Hickman | Coach | NA | Not Yet |
| Phillip Woolpert | Coach | NA | 1992 |
| Will Robinson | Coach | NA | Not Yet |
| Carol Eckman | Contributor | Womens | Not Yet |
| Boris Stankovic | Contributor | International | Not Yet |
