NBA Legend Kobe Bryant tragically died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020 while en route to a youth basketball tournament with his 13-year-old daughter Gigi and seven others. Exactly two years later, Bryant’s death still weighs heavily on those who knew him best and the fans who adored him.
On Wednesday, tributes poured in from across the sports community to remember Bryant’s legacy.
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“Family is forever”, the Los Angeles Lakers said in a tweet with a picture of Bryant hugging Gigi at court.
Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers and was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA pick, five-time NBA champion, 12-time All-Defensive pick, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and 2007-08 NBA MVP.
In May, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals June 17, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBA players, current and former, shared posts remembering Bryant with #KobeForever.
Bryant, Gigi and seven others were flying from Orange County to a Ventura County youth basketball tournament on Jan. 26, 2020 when the pilot encountered thick fog near Calabasas before crashing.
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Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Western Conference warms up with daughter Gianna Bryant during the 2016 NBA All-Star Game at the Air Canada Center February 14, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Elsa/Getty Images)
Those who died along with Bryant and his daughter were Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli; Altobelli’s wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser, who helped Bryant coach his daughter’s basketball team; and Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton and the pilot. Alyssa and Payton were Gianna’s teammates.
Former Lakers general manager Jerry West, who acquired Bryant in a deal after the 1996 draft, spoke in an interview with the about the “shock and sadness” he feels thinking about Bryant’s death New York Times.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the third quarter against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles.
(Elsa/Getty Images)
“He was just one of those unique players that come. He had a great personality. He was very intelligent. He would be a bigger hit off the pitch than on it. He was taken away too young.”
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
