There are always those moments in the world where the world just stops when they happen. You remember exactly where you were, what you were doing, and who you were with when you heard the news. One of those moments occurred one year ago today.
One year ago today on January 26, 2020, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna Bryant and 7 others, sadly passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Kobe Bryant was 41, and his daughter Gianna was 13.
The announcement of Bryant's death led to an outpouring of grief, tributes, and stories from fans, other athletes, and multiple people that knew Bryant personally. The sports world and the world itself was definitely shook by the news. Seeing as Kobe Bryant's impact stretches far beyond the world of sports, there was no doubt that the world stopped at the announcement of his untimely death.
Photo by Eileen Blass
Kobe Bryant first came into the spotlight when he was a high school basketball player at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. In his junior year of high school, he averaged 31.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. This stat line led to him being named Pennsylvania Player of the Year. He also attracted attention from college recruiters from college basketball powerhouses such as Duke, Michigan, North Carolina, and Villanova. However, Bryant thought about going straight to the pros after the following season. During his senior season, he led the Lower Merion Aces to a 1996 PIAA State Championship. After the season, Bryant decided to go straight to the NBA.
Kobe Bryant was drafted 13th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He was then quickly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. His arrival to the Lakers was the start of an illustrious career that brought him 5 NBA Championships, 2 NBA Finals MVP awards, the 2007-2008 NBA MVP award, 18 All-Star Game appearances (4 of which he won All-Star Game MVP), and a few handfuls of All-NBA Team selections, just to name a few. Bryant was also posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Who could forget Kobe Bryant's final NBA game when he scored 60 points in a 101-96 Lakers' victory against the Utah Jazz? Certainly unforgettable.
Today we are remembered the impact that Kobe has had on all of our lives. He inspired a whole generation of basketball players and people as a whole. It's definitely safe to say that Kobe is one of the most influential athletes and people of our time. Not a day goes by where he isn't missed.
MAMBA FOREVER
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