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SPRINGFIELD — As Doc Rivers stood on stage Saturday evening for his enshrinement into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, his emotions began pouring out. Rivers became teary as he locked eyes with his brother, Grady Jr., recalling their parents and the lessons that had followed him from his hometown of Maywood, Illinois. He choked up while addressing his four children, sitting a few feet away in the front row, acknowledging the sacrifices they made for his coaching career. And Rivers beamed that Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen — the Celtics’ Big Three during their 2008 NBA championship run — had united to serve as his presenters. “Basketball took this kid from Maywood around the world,” said Rivers. “It brought me to the stage tonight, and I’m endlessly grateful.” Rivers was among the nine entrants into this year’s Hall of Fame class, which was made official during a ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall. He was joined by fellow coaches Mike D’Antoni and Mark Few, former NBA player Amar’e Stoudemire, former WNBA players Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Candace Parker, former NBA official Joey Crawford, and the 1996 women’s US Olympic team. “The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is the greatest individual achievement our sport can offer,” said Rivers, who spoke for 18 minutes. “And I thought about this a lot after I got the call, and what I came to realize is — this is not about me. It really is about everybody that I’ve worked with, the many people who helped me get here.” Rivers played 14 NBA seasons before embarking on a 27-year coaching career with five organizations. He’s coached the fourth-most games in NBA history (2,060), and his 1,194 regular-season wins are sixth. Rivers did not aspire to coach, but credited Pat Riley with recognizing Rivers had the requisite qualities. He recalled a heated argument with Riley, who coached Rivers on the Knicks from 1992-1994. “During the shouting match, Coach looked at me and said, ‘One day, when you’re a head coach, and you will be one, you’re going to understand exactly where I’m coming from,’” Rivers said. “And I literally yelled back at him, ‘Are you crazy? I am never going to coach. Every coach that I know, they’re nuts.’ … well, I want to tell Coach Riley thank you for being right on all accounts.” Rivers also highlighted his nine-year partnership with then-Celtics head of basketball operations Danny Ainge, who hired Rivers in 2004 and attended Saturday’s ceremony. “Danny Ainge, man, we were just a great team, you and I,” said Rivers. “And I say this to coaches and front office guys all the time — if you make that group a team, then you will have a successful team. Thank you for making me your partner.” Rivers’s Celtics coaching tenure, which lasted from 2004 through 2013, was the longest of any of his coaching stops, and it’s the spot he became most associated with following the 2008 title. Allen’s relationship with Garnett, Pierce, and other Boston teammates became strained following his defection to the Heat in 2012. But Rivers was grateful for their shared presence Saturday, and for the bonds which forever connect them. “Seeing you three sitting here, man,” said Rivers. “When you win a title – and everyone in here who has [won] understands this — it’s like having a blood transfusion. And you are connected for the rest of your life. You really are. I want you guys to hear that and understand that.” As Rivers addressed his family, he spoke of his pride in a unique record he holds: Becoming the only father to coach his son in the NBA, which he accomplished while coaching Austin with the Clippers from 2015-2018. “It’s special watching Pops go in,” Austin Rivers told the Globe. “He deserves it. All the work, all the missed hours [with family], all the time he’s put in, man. He’s earned it all.” Rivers closed his speech by returning to a saying of his mother, Bettye, which he’s carried with him from his humble upbringing in Illinois through his immortalization Saturday. “My mom was right — you are right where you are supposed to be,” said Rivers. Matty Wasserman can be reached at matty.wasserman@globe.com. Follow him @Matty_Wasserman.