Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker said he is pondering about a decision to change his jersey No.8 in honor of the late Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.
Bryant tragically passed away at 41 years old in a helicopter crash last Sunday, which also claimed the lives of his second eldest daughter Gianna and seven others.
Kemba Walker says he is considering changing his number, to honor Kobe Bryant.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) January 29, 2020
Walker, who is playing in his first season in Beantown, said he is still contemplating the possible change.
“I'm considering it, but I'm not sure yet,” Walker said in an ESPN report by Malika Andrews and Tim Bontemps. “I definitely have tons of respect for Kobe. Everybody mourns a bit different. For me, I'm thinking I'd love to honor him by wearing that number. Kobe played hard each and every night, and I would like to honor him by doing the same. I am definitely thinking about it. But we'll see.”
Kemba Walker rocked the jersey number 15 during his first eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats. That number, however, was retired by Celtics in honor of Tom Heinsohn, prompting Kemba to use No.8 instead. Antoine Walker previously wore number eight during his seven seasons with Boston.
Kobe Bryant donned the No.8 for the Lakers from 1996 up until the 2006-07 season. He opted to change it to 24, which was his first high school jersey back in Lower Merion.
Other NBA players, meanwhile, have reportedly decided to unofficially retire Bryant's numbers 8 and 24. Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie announced Tuesday that he will no longer use No.8 and changed it to No. 26.
Coincidentally, that was the same date Bryant lost his life. Terrence Ross of the Orlando Magic will also stop using 8 and revert back to his jersey number 31 he used during his days with the Toronto Raptors.
New Orleans Pelicans Jahlil Okafor and Philadelphia 76ers guard Zhaire Smith will also change their numbers as a sign of respect.
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