Four years ago, on January 26, 2020, a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven other individuals.
It seems like it was both recently and eternally ago.
Time seems skewed by tragedy.
Gianna was 13 years old when Bryant passed away, and he was 41 when he was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame posthumously. They were on their way to an NBA game. John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, and Ara Zobayan are all on board. The Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA and WNBA (both leagues have trophies named after him), Nike, the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation, and the NBA all carry on Bryant’s legacy.
The statue of Kobe Bryant will soon be unveiled.
The Lakers will honor Bryant on February 8 at Star Plaza, which is located outside the Crypto.com Arena, with a bronze monument.
“He felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels, since arriving in this city and joining the Lakers organization,” Vanessa Bryant said in a statement. “I am so honored that we will be unveiling Kobe’s statue in front of the location known as the house that Kobe built in the heart of Los Angeles so that his legacy can be celebrated forever, on behalf of the Lakers, my daughters, and myself.”
He will join Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, and Chick Hearn as the six other Lakers with statues outside the arena.
According to Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, “Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of Los Angeles.” “Here, in the heart of our city, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements, is the best place to honor Kobe with a statue.”
The Nos. 8 and 24 that Bryant wore while playing for the Lakers are included in the date 2/8/24.
Who is the recipient of the All-Star MVP Kobe Bryant Trophy?
The NBA declared during All-Star Weekend in 2020, a few weeks after Bryant passed away, that the Kobe Bryant Trophy would be named in Bryant’s honor for the All-Star MVP award.
Bryant tied the record with four victories.
Given that Bryant was honored with the trophy’s name, the winners were Jayson Tatum (2023), Giannis Antetokounmpo (2021), Steph Curry (2022), and Kawhi Leonard (2020). Tatum and Bryant became close after Bryant joined the league and showed signs of being a star.
Tatum declared, “It’s really special for me,” following his All-Star record-setting 55 points in Salt Lake City the previous season. “In 2020, I attended my first All-Star Game in Chicago, where the MVP was renamed in his honor.
It’s an incredible day to be able to wear my iconic sneaker, break the record, and get this honor from someone I looked up to.
Because of the direct and indirect impact Bryant had on them, athletes aspire to earn this award.
Nearly a year ago, a settlement involving helicopter crash images was struck.
After a helicopter crash in January 2020, Vanessa Bryant ended her legal battle against persons she believed were inappropriately shooting and disseminating graphic photographs of her deceased husband and children. In exchange, she accepted a $28.85 million settlement from Los Angeles County last February.
Included in the deal is the $15 million judgment she obtained against the county during a two-week civil jury trial in Los Angeles last year.
Vanessa Bryant is still in charge of the sports charity.
In collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club, Vanessa Bryant organized the inaugural Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation basketball camp for children aged 11 to 13 on October 2-3.
Featured speakers were Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka and WNBA players Sabrina Ionescu and Jewell Loyd.
“This experience is valuable even if you’re not the best player on the court,” MMSF president and chairman Vanessa Bryant told campers, according to a press release. “We want you to embody your greatest selves. Making mistakes and having questions is acceptable. Simply be willing to learn from your mistakes and improve. Everyone is in your corner.
Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award given to Pau Gasol.
The Kobe and Gigi Bryant Advocacy Award was introduced by the WNBA in 2022. Its purpose is to recognize advocates and influencers who, like Kobe was so dedicated to doing, use their time, talent, and platform to raise awareness for women’s and girls’ basketball and the WNBA in various ways.
The award was given to Chris Paul in 2022, while Bryant’s Lakers colleague Pau Gasol received it in 2023.
Gasol has made financial contributions to the WNBA, is a supporter of providing women with athletic opportunities, and has worked to increase the number of women serving as NBA coaches.
Nike and Vanessa Bryant maintain their connection.
About two years ago, Vanessa Bryant made the announcement that she had struck a deal with Nike to carry on their collaboration. As part of the agreement, Nike will donate all of the money made from Gianna’s shoes to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Nike released the Kobe 6 Protro Reverse Grinch right before Christmas. On February 8, the company plans to introduce the Kobe 8 Protro Radiant Emerald and Kobe 8 Protro Color Purple. Nike has been releasing Bryant’s shoes ever since.
Throughout the year, other pairs of Bryant’s iconic shoes—the Kobe 4 Protro Philly and Kobe 4 Protro Gold Medal—will be released.
Gigi and Kobe sneakers are worn by six collegiate teams.
The teams that have teamed up with the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation and are sporting Kobe and Gigi sneakers this season are UConn, Southern California, Kentucky, Oregon, Duke, and LSU.
“We are appreciative of these esteemed universities’ incredible support (in no particular order) for the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which helps to carry on Kobe and Gigi’s legacy! Vanessa posted on Instagram in September, saying, “I’m so excited to see their players wear Kobe and Gigi’s NIKE shoes this upcoming season.
Inducted into the Orange County Hall of Fame is Kobe Bryant.
