Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was first introduced in the NBA ranks as a cocky high school student who made the jump from Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb, to the pros when then–general manager Jerry West acquired the teenager, the thirteenth overall pick of the 1996 draft, for center Vlade Divac.
Bryant, 41, lost his life alongside 13-year-old daughter Gianna on Sunday in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, that also cost the lives of seven others on board. His alma mater Lower Merion will hold a 33-second moment of silence before Tuesday night's games, per TMZ Sports—the same number Bryant famously wore in high school that is also retired by the team.
Bryant was born in Philadelphia and later lived in Italy with father Joe, a former NBA forward to went overseas to play ball, before turning stateside to foster his growing talent on the court. Before LeBron James and the bursting prep-to-pro phenomenon in the early 2000's, Bryant was a standout high-school athlete who decided against playing collegiately, instead opting to go from Lower Merion to the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets selected him at thirteen in the legendary draft class among Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, and Steve Nash before sending him to the Lakers for Divac.
According to TMZ, the game on Tuesday will go on unlike the NBA canceling tonight's Lakers-Clippers bout at the Staples Center.
“Principal Sean Hughes will read a statement on behalf of the school community. The statement will be followed by 33 seconds of silence, as 33 was the number worn by Mr. Bryant when he was an LM Aces player.”
School officials ultimately decided NOT to cancel the games because they believe Kobe would WANT the players to compete.
The Lakers' next game is Friday at home against Damian Lillard, Carmelo Anthony, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
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