Celebrities and fans around the world have paid tribute to basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash on January 26, also claiming the life of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Maria Bryant and seven others.
From the former President of the United States Barack Obama tweeting a heartfelt message to makeshift shrines outside Los Angeles’ Staples Centre, and a subway name change in New York City, fans have mourned the death of the NBA champion.
“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act,” President Barack Obama wrote.
“To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.”
Releasing a statement on Tuesday morning, the NBA officially postponed the upcoming Lakers vs. Clippers game at the Staples Centre, “out of respect for the Lakers organisation, which is reeling from the death”.
Outside the centre itself, several memorials continue to grow as people drop off flowers, candles, balloons and memorabilia in front Bryant’s home court, with digital billboards around LA featuring Bryant’s photograph.
In New York City, subway riders paid tribute to the 41-year-old with a makeshift sign at the Bryant Park subway station.
The sign was plastered with the name “Kobe”, hiding “42nd Street”, turning it into“Kobe Bryant Park” while another read “Kobe and Gigi Bryant Park”.
Bryant’s deeply devoted fan-base is now doing what it takes to uphold his memory, and have started a Change.org petition requesting that the NBA change its logo to feature the basketball star.
User Nick M created the petition, which has been backed by Justin Bieber, Snoop Dogg, Usher, Adam Levine and Naomi Campbell, with the #changethelogo hashtag.
Tributes to Gianna have also been flowing in, with the University of Connecticut Huskies, the team which Gianna wanted to play for, honoured her at a sporting by laying out a bouquet of flowers atop one of their courtside chairs.
The women also put a Huskies jersey with the number 2 on display at the game, which was an homage to Gianna who frequently played basketball with that number for the Mamba Academy.
On home soil, Australian tennis star, Nick Kyrgios, says he “drew on the spirit of Kobe Bryant” when he played Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park.
Entering Rod Laver Arena in a Kobe number 8 LA Lakers jersey on Monday night, Kyrgios paid tribute to the basketball icon.
“It’s horrible news. If anything, it motivated me. If you look at the things he stood for, what he wanted to be remembered by, I felt like, if anything, it helped me tonight,” Kyrgios said.
“When I was down a break in the fourth, I was definitely thinking about it. I fought back.”
The wider Basketball community has also felt the loss, with Shaquille ONeal and his son, Shareef, mourning their “niece”, “uncle” and “brother”.
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Basketballer and former teammate, Lamar Odom, shared a heartfelt tribute on his Instagram, saying that “the only loss I can compare this to is when I lost my son,” he said, referring to his six-month-old son Jayden who died from sudden infant death syndrome in 2006.
“These pictures are just the tip of the iceberg of our relationship,” Odom said in the lengthy caption, accompanying images of the two.
“He taught me so many things in life that were necessary on and off the court. On the court, he taught me how to carve out defenses and how to take my time. How to make winning my ultimate goal.”
During the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, just hours after the tragedy, superstar Lizzo paid tribute to Bryant during her opening number, dedicating the performance to his legacy.
Alicia Keys, who was hosting the ceremony, then took to the stage with Boyz II Men, singing an acapella version of It’s Hard to Say Goodbye To Yesterday.
“We never imagined in a million years that we’d have to start the show like this,” Keys said.
WATCH: Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men pay tribute to Kobe Bryant. Story continues…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NqLJGLiLn0
Bryant was among nine people killed in the helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26.
According to TMZ who first broke the news, Bryant was travelling in a private helicopter which he regularly used.
He and Gianna “were on their way to the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when the crash occurred.”
Eyewitnesses also told the outlet that they had heard the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it crashed amid foggy conditions.
The other victims of the crash have been identified as head baseball coach at Orange Coast College John Altobelli and wife Keri and daughter Alyssa. Basketball coach Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester and daughter Payton (teammate of Gianna Bryant) and helicopter pilot Ara Zobayan.
Bryant is survived by wife Vanessa and their three other daughters: Natalia, 17; Bianka, 3; and Capri Kobe Bryant, seven months.
The cause of the crash is still yet to be determined and is under investigation.
WATCH: Ellen Degeneres Tribute to Kobe Bryant
