"Kobe Bryant's unfortunate passing has everyone a little shaken, many people have taken to social media-along with other platforms-to mourn. I have put together a story honoring his legacies and remembering his past. "
--Lola Christ, 6th grade
Kobe Bryant's unfortunate passing has everyone a little shaken, many people have taken to social media-along with other platforms-to mourn. I have put together a story honoring his legacies and remembering his past.
Kobe Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1978. He attended Lower Merion High and was an exceptional player, he soon announced he would skip college to attend NBA drafts. Initially Bryant was playing for the Hornets but was swiftly traded to the Lakers.
Bryant led the Lakers to three championships with Shaquille O’Neal from 2000-2002, later leading the Lakers to another two in seasons 2009-2010.
During his time with the NBA, Kobe won several awards and beat several records, some being NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008 and again in 2009, and 2010 in the NBA Finals MVP award, an eighteen-time NBA All Star, and five-time NBA Champion. As well as Youngest Player to Score 33,000 points (37 years old), Most All Star MVP Awards Won (tied with Bob Pettit) and oldest player to score 60+ points in one game (37 years old).
Bryant retired in 2016 after several injuries in previous years, the first being in 2013 when he tore his achilles. After retiring Bryant started Kobe Inc., investing in various sports necessities including Bodyarmor. He also wrote a book within the same year entitled, The Mamba Mentality: How I Play.
Staples Center hung Kobe Bryant’s jerseys up on December 18, 2017 in honor of his career. He is not the first to receive this tribute, others include Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Jerry west and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Bryant was the executive producer of an animated film, Dear Basketball. The animation was based off of a letter he wrote to the players after deciding to retire. The animation won an oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018.
Unfortunately on Sunday January 26, 2020 Bryant departed on a flight to coach a game at Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California and on his way the helicopter carrying him, his daughter Gianna, and seven others crashed, tragically killing all of them. At the time, Bryant was 41 and his daughter was 13.
Gianna Bryant went to Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, California at the time of her passing. Harbor Day School (her middle school) retired her number 2 basketball jersey.
On the day of the crash, excessive amounts of fog were reported in the same area they went down. The fogit likely played a big role in the circumstances of what actually happened, but it could just as well be a coincidence.
The Grammys paid tribute to the player by illuminating the previously placed copies of his two famous jerseys for the entire show, which took place in the Lakers’ Staples Center, as well as Alicia Keys numerous prayers for the family. She even sang a song for him.
Fans and friends have taken to social media, including Shaquille O'Neal and Lebron James, to express their grief in his passing. Fans left mementos at Staples center where Vanessa Bryant requested to have it delivered to the family.
Bryant is the only player in NBA history to have two jerseys retired by the NBA, his first number being 8 with which he won three NBA championship titles, and his other number being 24 which he won his final two with. Bryant wore number 24 in high school as well, when he came into the NBA it was really a plant your flag and switching was a growth from that.
He spent his entire 20 year career with the NBA.
Kobe Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1978. He attended Lower Merion High and was an exceptional player, he soon announced he would skip college to attend NBA drafts. Initially Bryant was playing for the Hornets but was swiftly traded to the Lakers.
Bryant led the Lakers to three championships with Shaquille O’Neal from 2000-2002, later leading the Lakers to another two in seasons 2009-2010.
During his time with the NBA, Kobe won several awards and beat several records, some being NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008 and again in 2009, and 2010 in the NBA Finals MVP award, an eighteen-time NBA All Star, and five-time NBA Champion. As well as Youngest Player to Score 33,000 points (37 years old), Most All Star MVP Awards Won (tied with Bob Pettit) and oldest player to score 60+ points in one game (37 years old).
Bryant retired in 2016 after several injuries in previous years, the first being in 2013 when he tore his achilles. After retiring Bryant started Kobe Inc., investing in various sports necessities including Bodyarmor. He also wrote a book within the same year entitled, The Mamba Mentality: How I Play.
Staples Center hung Kobe Bryant’s jerseys up on December 18, 2017 in honor of his career. He is not the first to receive this tribute, others include Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Jerry west and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Bryant was the executive producer of an animated film, Dear Basketball. The animation was based off of a letter he wrote to the players after deciding to retire. The animation won an oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018.
Unfortunately on Sunday January 26, 2020 Bryant departed on a flight to coach a game at Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California and on his way the helicopter carrying him, his daughter Gianna, and seven others crashed, tragically killing all of them. At the time, Bryant was 41 and his daughter was 13.
Gianna Bryant went to Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, California at the time of her passing. Harbor Day School (her middle school) retired her number 2 basketball jersey.
On the day of the crash, excessive amounts of fog were reported in the same area they went down. The fogit likely played a big role in the circumstances of what actually happened, but it could just as well be a coincidence.
The Grammys paid tribute to the player by illuminating the previously placed copies of his two famous jerseys for the entire show, which took place in the Lakers’ Staples Center, as well as Alicia Keys numerous prayers for the family. She even sang a song for him.
Fans and friends have taken to social media, including Shaquille O'Neal and Lebron James, to express their grief in his passing. Fans left mementos at Staples center where Vanessa Bryant requested to have it delivered to the family.
Bryant is the only player in NBA history to have two jerseys retired by the NBA, his first number being 8 with which he won three NBA championship titles, and his other number being 24 which he won his final two with. Bryant wore number 24 in high school as well, when he came into the NBA it was really a plant your flag and switching was a growth from that.
He spent his entire 20 year career with the NBA.