Uncovering the Next Generation's Hall of Fame
Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 1997
The 7-member Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 1997 was highlighted by the enshrinements of Alex English and Bailey Howell.
| Hall of Famer | Category | Committee | Position |
| Alex English | Player | North American | F |
| Bailey Howell | Player | North American | F |
| Pete Carril | Coach | North American | |
| Don Haskins | Coach | North American | |
| Denise Curry | Player | Women's | |
| Joan Crawford | Player | Women's | |
| Antonio Diaz-Miguel | Coach | International |
| ⇦ 1996 | 1998 ⇨ |
Finalists Who Didn't Make the Cut in 1997
| Finalist | Category | Committee | Eventually Inducted |
| Jamaal Wilkes | Player | NA | 2012 |
| Jo Jo White | Player | NA | 2015 |
| Arnie Risen | Player | NA | 1998 |
| Sidney Moncrief | Player | NA | 2019 |
| Bobby Jones | Player | NA | 2019 |
| Gus Johnson | Player | NA | 2010 |
| Dennis Johnson | Player | NA | 2010 |
| Jerry Tarkanian | Coach | NA | 2013 |
| Tex Winter | Coach | NA | 2011 |
| Jim Phelan | Coach | NA | Not Yet |
| Alex Hannum | Coach | NA | 1998 |
| John Thompson | Coach | NA | 1999 |
| Maciel Pereira | Player | International | 2010 |
| Lee Williams | Contributor | Contributor | Not Yet |
| ⇦ 1996 | 1998 ⇨ |