Photo: Vanessa Bryant/Instagram
Celebrities and athletes are remembering NBA legendKobe Bryanton the first anniversary of his death.
Tuesday marks one-year since Kobe’s death in a helicopter crash that also killed his 13-year-old daughter,Gianna, and seven others:John Altobelli,Keri Altobelli,Alyssa Altobelli,Sarah Chester, Payton Chester,Christina Mauser, and pilotAra Zobayan. The group was on their way to a basketball game.
Across social media, many fans and friends of Kobe posted heartfelt tributes to commemorate his life, and the life of his daughter.
“Can’t believe it’s been one year since we experienced the tragic loss of my brother, my friend, Kobe Bryant,” Alex Rodriguez wrote. “It still doesn’t feel real. Kobe was so much more than just a basketball player and he was destined for even more greatness. His journey was truly just beginning and it still hurts so much thinking about how much good he had left to do.”
Others shared similar anecdotes about the late athlete, including Michael B. Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Viola Davis.
Kobe Bryant.Dia Dipasupil/Getty
In Los Angeles, Staples Center — the arena the Lakers call home — served as a prominent meeting place for fans to mourn in the days after the accident. Hundreds of fans gathered outside of the arena to leave flowers, notes, basketballs and jerseys in memory of the 18-time All-Star.
NBA teams also allowedthe 24-second shot clock to run down to zero at the start of games, and players temporarilywore one of Kobe’s numbers while on the court.
When the Lakers held their first game following the accident, they invitedUsher and Ben Hong of the Los Angeles Philharmonicto perform before tip-off. Then, at halftime,Wiz KhalifaandCharlie Puthperformed a moving rendition of “See You Again,” which was initially featured in the soundtrack forFurious7as a tribute to the late actorPaul Walker. A few days later, Kobe and the victims were honoredat the Super Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida.
source: people.com
