By: Alyssa Wilson

Nine people were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Saturday, including the late Kobe Bryant. He was posthumously elected in April 2020 on his first year of eligibility, CNN reported.  

His wife Vanessa Bryant graced the stage to speak on her late husband’s life and legacy. “He and Gigi deserved to be here to witness this. Gigi would be so proud to watch her daddy get enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame,” she said. “You did it. You’re in the Hall of Fame now. You’re a true champ. You’re not just an MVP, you are an all-time great. I am so proud of you. I love you forever and always.”  

RELATED: MAMBACITA X DANNIJO clothing line honoring Gianna Bryant sold out, proceeds donated to organization 

#MambaForever x #20HoopClass pic.twitter.com/fQAJGSnaDk

— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) May 16, 2021

In January 2020, Kobe, his daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in California. He was a five-time NBA Champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, Academy Award winner for an animated short film, 18-time NBA All-Star and the Los Angeles Lakers all-time leading scorer, among other accomplishments.  

RELATED: Los Angeles honors Kobe, Gianna Bryant with public memorial 

The other eight inductees were Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Kim Mulkey, Barbara Stevens, Eddie Sutton, Rudy Tomjanovich, Tamika Catchings and Patrick Baumann.  

New threads for the Class of 2021. ? #21HoopClass pic.twitter.com/mUpFDUa3pe

— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) May 16, 2021