Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Maria Onore Bryant, passed away this Sunday morning due to a tragic helicopter crash that happened on a hillside in Calabasas, California. The investigation regarding the cause of the incident is still ongoing as of now.
Who is Kobe Bryant?
Kobe 'The Black Mamba' Bryant is one of the most well-known players in the National Basketball Association or NBA and said to be one of the game-changer of the basketball industry. He was the very first player in the history of NBA who wore two iconic numbers, the Lakers Jersey numbers 24 and 8.
Kobe Bryant played first at Lower Merion High school in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, where he broke the scoring record set by Wilt Chamberlain in Southeastern Pennsylvania, making 2,883 points. Young Kobe Bryant decided not to go to college as he believed that he is qualified to enter the NBA league by the time he graduated in high school.
The former NBA superstar was the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA draft, who was welcomed by the Charlotte Hornet's family. He became the second youngest NBA player in history as 1996-1997 season started, in which he was traded shortly to the Lakers' Team.
When did Kobe Bryant join LA Lakers?
The very first big contract extension of Kobe made his salary as the Los Angeles Lakers' second-highest on the list. In just his second season, Kobe Bryant was picked as one of the players in the NBA All-Star Game. Kobe Bryant proved it is worth as he led the Purple and Yellow Jerseyed Team to two consecutive championships from the year 2000-2002 at the age of 23.
By the year 2008, The Black Mamba got his very first MVP title in the league. Kobe Bryant left the game after the 2015 to 2016 NBA season at the age of 34 years old, becoming the youngest NBA Star in the league's history to reach 30,000 points. He ranked as the third-highest scoring player in the NBA, making 33,643 points throughout his lifetime playing as the Black Mamba.
Kobe Bryant as a philanthropist
Kobe Bryant is also known to be a philanthropist that uses his popularity to extend hands to those in need. He became the global ambassador of the FIBA Basketball World Cup last year, 2019, which was held in Beijing, China. Kobe Bryant showed his love for kids by supporting the "After-School All-Stars Charity," which creates services and programs that extend help to 72,000 inner-city children. He also provided funds supporting other charity organizations like Aid Still Required, Cathy's Kids Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Stand Up to Cancer, and Vijay Amritraj Foundation.
His family created the "Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation" that is dedicated to improving the life status of the youths domestically as well as globally.
Kobe Bryant’s Death Made Staple Center Stadium Shed Tears; How Important is Kobe Bryant to the NBA Industry?
Staples Center Stadium tributes to Kobe Bryant
With all the fame and iconic traits of the 'Black Mamba,' the world continues to lament the death of the basketball legend.
As reported via The Guardian, Fans of the Yellow and Purple Jerseyed Team, LA Lakers, across the city shed tears as they gathered at the Staples Center of Los Angeles-the homecourt of the team-in order to pay tribute to the Legendary Black Mamba. Ruiz, one of the employees who work in the security department of the said stadium, sadly states that "The city is bleeding right now," as many Lakers' fans are still in shock with the incident.
According to the reports, the fans cannot believe that Kobe Bryant and her daughter were gone. They chanted the name of Kobe Bryant's daughter repeatedly as they formed her name as they laid flowers on the ground, including Kobe Bryant's name. Gigantic photos of the former legendary star were also displayed on large screens outside the Staple's Arena.
Kobe Bryant's fans wore both of his jerseys and jackets with his name in it while thanking and honoring him by shouting his name. The 62nd annual Grammy awards also paid respect to the previous NBA Star of LA Lakers.
