Kobe Bryant: In Memoriam

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On the 26th of January, basketball legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California. At 41 years old, Kobe led one of the most successful and lauded careers in NBA history. He set numerous records throughout his 20-season tenure, leading the Lakers to five championship victories.

Kobe was born in Philadelphia on the 3rd of August, 1978. In high school, his immense talent on the court caught the attention of several major teams. He was soon drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, becoming the second youngest player in NBA history (at the time).

The Hornets subsequently traded Kobe to the Los Angeles Lakers, where his role as lead player was challenged by Shaquille O’Neal. However, following an upset by the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 finals, O’Neal was traded away, giving Kobe unbridled leadership over his team.

Kobe’s accolades were numerous. He was named Finals MVP for 2009 and 2010, and overall MVP in 2008; he was an 18-time All-Star (1998, 2000-2016); he won gold in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics; he holds the record number of points for any Laker (33,643 points, with 25 points per game); and his 2018 short film “Dear Basketball” won an Academy Award.

Kobe with his daughter, Gianna (age 13). Unfortunately, she also died in the helicopter crash.

In 2016, Kobe hit his 30th year with the NBA. He was approaching his 40s, and he had been plagued by physical issues for several years. As a result, Kobe announced his retirement in June of that year. In his final game, he trounced the Utah Jazz 101-96, scoring an astounding 60 points. “Mamba out,” he said after the game, alluding to his alter ego (“Black Mamba”) that he used to separate his professional career from his personal life.

Three-and-a-half years after his retirement, Kobe’s legacy lives on. His positive attitude, enthusiasm, and immense talent inspired a generation of basketball players, and even his contemporaries. Even Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe’s former rival in the Lakers, paid tribute to Kobe following his death. Through and through, few players in basketball history can come close to Kobe’s far-reaching influence and talent.