Any individual is eligible for enshrinement for achievement in the following categories:

• Player: must be fully retired for five years
• Coach: must be fully retired for five years
• Referee: must be fully retired for five years
• Team: must be fully retired for five years
• Contributor: has made a significant contribution to professional basketball and must be fully retired for three years; may describe individuals who excelled in more than one role (e.g. player and coach)

Should an individual come out of retirement, they will be eligible three years after their final retirement.

In the case of death while active or retired less than five years, an individual may be eligible for enshrinement after three years. Also, in the case of illness or injury shortening a career, an individual may be eligible for enshrinement after three years.

Nominees will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• America pro experience
  • Men's Basketball: NBA, BAA, ABL, NBL, ABA
  • Women's Basketball: WNBA, WBL, ABL
• Foreign pro experience
• Dominance at their position and/or the league in general
• Accomplishments
• Impact on the game of professional basketball
• Comparibility with their peers

Committee members may nominate 10 individuals each for enshrinement. The nominations for enshrinement can be submitted between October 15 and December 15. A ballot will be created from the individuals receiving the most nominations.

Nominees must receive 75% of the votes to move to the second round of voting. Those receiving 75% of the votes will advance to the third round of voting. Finalists must receive 75% or more of the votes to be inducted. Finalists not receiving not enough votes for induction will carry over to the next year's ballot. If not elected within five years, an individual's name will be removed from the ballot and must be renominated.

An individual may only be elected once.

To make nominations for the Hardwood Greats, go here.