A helicopter carrying the well-known basketball player Kobe Bryant, who had a great career in the NBA, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other individuals crashed in Calabasas, California. This happened on a Sunday morning, specifically January 26, 2020. Unfortunately, everyone on the helicopter lost their lives. At the time of the incident, Kobe Bryant was 41 years old.
There were additional passengers on the helicopter, including John Altobelli, a college baseball coach, his wife Keri, and their daughter Alyssa. Among the other passengers were Christina Mauser, who coached a girls’ basketball team, a mother and daughter named Sarah and Payton Chester, and the helicopter’s pilot, Ara Zobayan. Currently, investigators are still working to understand the reasons behind the crash.
Before this tragic incident, Kobe Bryant Last Words were thoughtful and motivating. He recorded a video posted on Twitter, saying, “Hey everyone, I’m sorry I can’t be there with you tonight.”
Gianna, affectionately known as Gigi, also spoke before the events unfolded. She finally said to her father, “I love you.” She expressed her distress by saying, “I don’t want to die.” This showed just how upset she was about what was happening.
How Kobe Bryant Shaped The World We Live In?
Bryant has been a strong advocate for cancer research and has been involved in Stand Up to Cancer’s annual television events since 2012. In 2015, he shared how his mother’s battle with cancer emphasized the importance of raising funds for disease research.
“I’ve had a personal attachment to this cause ever since I participated in the first Stand Up to Cancer event in 2008,” Bryant expressed. “My mom has overcome cancer twice, and it’s crucial that we put in every effort to assist families facing this terrible illness.”
Bryant has also directly reached out to individuals dealing with cancer and their families, as seen in this message from 2013:
“Hello, this is Kobe Bryant. I’ve heard that you’re going through a challenging fight against cancer. I want you to know that you’re not alone. People worldwide keep you in their thoughts, praying for you, supporting you, and rooting for you.
Your courage is incredibly inspiring. By standing up against this disease, you’re displaying remarkable strength – something that few people possess. I believe in you, stand by you, and find courage in your determination.”
What Number Did Kobe Bryant Wear?
Kobe Bryant was a true basketball superstar in the NBA. He had unique skills on the court and was an excellent role model for young athletes worldwide.
Now that he has finished playing, it’s the right moment to remember him as one of the all-time greats – just like other legendary players. The Los Angeles Lakers have shared some exciting news: They will be retiring both of Kobe Bryant’s jersey numbers! This is the first instance in NBA history where a player’s two jersey numbers are being retired.
Starting from 1996 and lasting until 2006, Bryant wore the number 8 jersey while playing for the Lakers. Later, in 2006, he switched to number 24, which he wore until he retired from playing in 2013.
Kobe Bryant Mentoring The New Generation
On January 26, 2020, the basketball world experienced a double tragedy with the loss of both Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant, who was emerging as a rising sports star herself. The day before the unfortunate incident, Kobe actively coached his 13-year-old daughter’s basketball team.
Kobe Bryant was fully embracing his return to the basketball scene.
On the preceding Saturday, the NBA legend and his daughter, Gianna, were reportedly spotted coaching at a youth basketball game. This occurred just one day after Kobe announced his comeback to the basketball world. As the New York Post reported, they were heading to the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, where they had been practising the previous day. The Mamba Sports Academy was co-founded by Kobe, known as the Black Mamba, and Chad Faulkner, the CEO of Sports Academy.
An individual present on Saturday mentioned, “He had a clipboard; he was drawing up plays and talking to the players.” The witness shared that Kobe’s energy was filled with positivity and enthusiasm. According to them, Kobe shared a strong bond with his daughter, showed incredible passion, and even took additional breaks to explain things to the young players. This underscored his unwavering commitment to nurturing the upcoming generation of basketball players.
Kobe Bryant wasn’t alone in his desire to support young basketball enthusiasts from the NBA. In 2016, he collaborated with Faulkner to establish the Mamba Sports Academy. This initiative aimed to create opportunities for young athletes who might not have had access to advanced sports training otherwise.
Kobe Bryant’s Last Words Reveals His True Character
The world is still grappling with the news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, and we’re all trying to come to terms with it.
Astonishingly, the messages Kobe shared in the days and moments before his death would have a deeper meaning.
Bryant congratulated his fellow NBA player and Laker, LeBron James, the night before he passed away. He commended James for surpassing Bryant’s career record of 33,643 points, saying, “@KingJames, keep pushing the game ahead. Respectfully, my brother #33644.” The following morning, a visibly upset James was observed leaving a team jet in Los Angeles.
While many fans often compared these two players to determine who was better, Bryant’s final email to James revealed a different viewpoint. He reiterated this perspective in an interview published in the Los Angeles Times just a few days before his passing. Bryant stated, “I want to see people succeed, and I want to see them succeed greater than anything I’ve ever done.”
