Most basketball fans still cannot fathom the reality that retired Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna are no longer with us. The father and daughter pair were among the nine people who tragically perished on Sunday after their helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California.
Bryant, who is one of the most beloved icons of the game, has touched the lives of fans and fellow players both on and off the court. The Staples Center, which Bryant called home for 20 seasons, has opened its doors to hold a vigil for one of the best players to ever don the Purple and Gold.
Grieving fans have since gathered outside the Lakers' training facility to commemorate Bryant. Per Lakers beat reporter Tania Ganguli, some fans are offering their goodbyes to Bryant by signing a large white canvas.
A backdrop of flowers, candles and photos of Bryant also filled the place.
A couple more photos from the vigil outside the Lakers facility. pic.twitter.com/RzP4uKgHh1
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) January 27, 2020
Kobe Bryant first came into the league in 1996 as a brash 18-year-old prep star out of Lower-Merion High School in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Lakers great developed into one of the most transcendent players the NBA has ever seen, winning five NBA titles, one MVP award, and appearing in 18 All-Star games, among many other accomplishments.
Apart from his undeniable greatness on the floor, Bryant has also become a global ambassador for the sport and remains as one of the most popular athletes even upon his retirement in 2016.
California authorities, meanwhile, are still investigating the cause of the shocking accident. Kobe and Gigi were headed to the Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, for a basketball practice before the incident.
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