Tayshaun Prince represents Kentucky during Hall of Fame induction with Redeem Team

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 features some all-time legends of the sport, namely Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird and Maya Moore, all receiving their iconic Naismith Orange jackets in Springfield over the weekend. Former Kentucky assistant coach Billy Donovan — who won back-to-back national championships as the head coach at Florida in 2006 and 2007 — was among those inducted, as well, with eight individual players, coaches and an official joining overall.

One team was also inducted, and it’s a legendary group that couldn’t have become legendary without the help of an all-time Wildcat.

The Redeem Team needed to avenge USA Basketball’s disappointing bronze medal finish in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and brought in the likes of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard to help them do so at the 2008 Beijing Games. That group also featured one Tayshaun Prince, who previously helped the United States win gold at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship before earning one of 12 spots on the final Olympic roster.

Playing 10.9 minutes per contest, Prince averaged 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.4 steals as a key piece off the bench to help Team USA defeat its opponents by an average of 27.9 points per game en route to their first Olympic gold medal since 2000. He would put up six points and two rebounds in USA’s 118-107 win over Spain in the finale.

For their efforts in getting the country back to its gold standard, the team was enshrined as part of the 2025 Hall of Fame Class — meaning Prince got himself a jacket, which paid tribute to his time at the University of Kentucky.

Take a look at our guy on the big stage:

It adds to the moment when you hear how head coach Mike Krzyzewski hand-picked his roster, one that was massive for the future of USA Basketball.

“These guys are amazing because we had a team that was talented and had character — we didn’t have a team of talented characters,” Coach K said at the induction ceremony. “They represented their country, themselves and the NBA in the best possible manner. Our goal was to win the gold medal, but also to win the respect of our country again, and also the respect of the world. They really set the stage for what USA Basketball has continued to accomplish.”

The description fits Mr. Prince about as well as that new jacket.

Congratulations to Tayshaun Prince and the 2008 USA Basketball Men’s National Team on their induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/vNlksPtVxF

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) September 7, 2025

Check out the full Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025:

• Carmelo Anthony (Player)
• Dwight Howard (Player)
• Sue Bird (Player)
• Maya Moore (Player)
• Sylvia Fowles (Player)
• Danny Crawford (Referee)
• 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s team (Team)
• Billy Donovan (Coach)
• Micky Arison (Contributor / Executive)

It’s been a good year for Prince, who was also elected to the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 alongside football star Randall Cobb. He was previously inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

During his time in Lexington, the Compton native was a two-time All-American who earned SEC Player of the Year and SEC Tournament MVP honors while leading the Wildcats to three Sweet 16 appearances and one trip to the Elite Eight. Scoring 1,775 career points, he was named All-SEC three times before being selected as a first-round NBA draft pick by the Detroit Pistons. He went on to help the franchise win the 2004 world championship while also being named a four-time All-Defensive Team selection across his 14-year career. Prince ranks Top 10 in Pistons’ history in games played, points, assists and blocked shots.

Now, his work in the Olympics has him in the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Well done, Tayshaun.