By: Teelia Lowery
Jan. 27, 2020 at 3:00 a.m. CST
Nine people died in a helicopter crash on a hill in Calabasas, California early Sunday morning. The chopper grounded about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that everyone on board died. Amongst the nine were retired Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant, 41 and his 13-year old daughter Gianna.
Bryant was on his way to a basketball game with his daughter and some friends when reports of fire broke out on board. Sources say the chopper burst into flames and spiraled downward killing everyone on board. Witness reported hearing the chopper struggle before crashing. Bryant was no stranger to flying. Sources say he flew privately to avoid the L.A. traffic.
Record
Bryant played his entire 20-year career in the NBA with the L.A. Lakers, leaving a legacy of accomplishments for all to remember. During his time in the NBA, he was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA Team member, 12-time member of the All-Defensive team, and 2008 NBA MVP. Bryant was the first guard in NBA history to play all 20 seasons. He’s recorded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
The Legend
Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started playing basketball when he was 3 years old. It’s said the Lakers were his favorite team growing up. He was the son of former NBA player Joe Bryant. Joe moved his family to Italy to continue his basketball career. It was there, Kobe would learn Spanish and Italian.
Eventually, the family would move back to Pennsylvania where he attended Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania. There he was noticed as the top high-school basketball player in the country.
In 1996, Bryant drafted 13th overall pick into the NBA at the age of 17, becoming the sixth player in NBA history to go straight into the NBA. A kid from Pennsylvania, determined and focused on achieving the American dream made history and a legacy. As a rookie, he would lead the Lakers to three
consecutive NBA champions from 2000 to 2002.
This was only the start of something legendary for “The Black Mamba,” a nickname he gave himself. He revealed in a documentary the reason behind the nickname was a way to deal with the struggles he was going through off the court in 2003-2004.
Mamba would go on to score 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, a career-high and landed second place in league’s history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962.
His 20-year career chronicled many of his aspirations and talents off the court. In 2013 he won an Oscars for best short animate for “Dear Basketball,” a film that depicted his love for basketball.
Social Media
Twitter quickly filled with condolences to the tragic loss of the NBA legend. One fan wrote: “God bless their souls. Such a beautiful thing to see a love a father and daughter have for each other.”
Another wrote, “And so we are reminded that life is short. Appreciate those around you.”
In another post, a woman shared “Whenever we make any shots now it’s no longer, “Kobe,” it’s going to be “For Kobe.”
Bryant touched the hearts of millions around the globe, but Los Angeles is where he left his NBA legacy.
Los Angeles City Hall lit up in purple and gold in honor of Bryant’s pillared championship career, his daughter Gianna and all casualties who died in Sunday’s crash.
Many took to social media to express their gratitude and to honor the late Kobe Bryant,
Former President, Barack Obama, tweeted: “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act.” “To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents...,” Obama tweeted.
Kanye West tweeted: “Kobe, we love you brother. We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”
The Weeknd, tweeted a quote by Kobe Bryant saying, “heroes come and go, but legends are forever.” The death of the NBA star comes on the day of the annual Grammy’s. The program took a sudden shift on learning of the tragic news, with this year’s host Alicia Keys offering remarks in his memory.
Dwayne Wade posted in an emotional, heartfelt video to NBA on ESPN saying, “I’m going to miss the friendship” Teary-eyed he goes on to say Bryant was a great leader and friend to all. Wade expressed that Bryant’s retirement left a hole in basketball. “That’s who I chased… I wanted to be respected by him,” Wade said. His post was gained more than 200,000 views and over 1,000 comments.
Grammys Tribute
Celebrities sang in tributes to Kobe and his family at the opening of the Grammys, which was held at Staple Center home of the Lakers.
Houston’s rising musical star, LIZZO began her musical piece shouting, “This one’s for you, Kobe.”
“We are literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe built.” Host Alicia Keys said.
“We love you, Kobe,” Alicia Keys said after singing Hard to say Goodbye with musical group Boyz II Men.
Meanwhile, thousands of Bryant fans held a vigil outside the Staple Center to pay respect to the NBA legend. Several murals around the city quickly turned into a makeshift shrine. One mural read, “on 4.13 Kobe played his final game…This tribute has 413 triangles.” Fans stuck Post-it-notes on the wall with messages honoring and mourning Kobe.
Fly High
Bryant leaves behind a legacy that no one could match not until recent Lebron James beat his record score. Bryant’s last tweet was to Lakers star Lebron James who just passed Bryant in all-time points, in Bryant’s hometown of Philadelphia. Bryant tweeted: “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother…”
Bryant is survived by wife, Vanessa, 37, and three of their four children together: daughters Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 7 months.
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