Before Sunday night's game between the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards in the State Farm Arena, basketball fans echoed chants of āKobe! Kobe! Kobe!.ā The crowd also stood for a moment of silence as the video board displayed an image of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Consequently, Hawks sophomore Trae Young started off the first few seconds on court wearing the number 8, a tribute to the retired 18-time NBA all-star.
After the game, the Atlanta point guard broke down in tears as he recalled in front of reporters his last conversation with Kobe. Young recounted how Bryant said he was happy for him and proud of his game's progress.
He had also wished for Young to continue being a role model for kids, including 13-year-old Gianna āGigi' Bryant, who passed away in the same helicopter crash her father did.
Gianna had previously named Trae as one of her favorite players to watch, along with Luka Doncic, Russell Westbrook and LeBron James.
Trae Young fought back tears as he spoke about the last conversation he had with Kobe.
He said Kobe told him he was proud of how much he's seen his game progress, and to continue to be a role model for kids growing up and for Gigi. pic.twitter.com/fhus29cdN5
ā SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 27, 2020
The Hawks and the Wizards paid tribute to the late Lakers icon as many other teams did. Within the first possession, Atlanta took an eight-second backcourt violation, while Washington reciprocated with a 24-second shot clock violation ā each was a homage to the jersey numbers Bryant wore.
Young later capped off the emotional night with 45 points and 14 assists, including a half-court buzzer-beater that the Hawks guard appeared to have dedicated to the five-time NBA champion. Atlanta beat the Wizards in a high-scoring affair, 152-133.
After starting the night off in Kobe Bryant's iconic No. 8, Trae knocks down a half-court buzzer-beater going into the half and appears to say it's for Kobe š pic.twitter.com/hXNkBcxwWe
ā NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 27, 2020
Although the second-year all-star starter never got to play with or against Kobe Bryant, he idolized the celebrated shooting guard and eventually became one of the players the former Lakers star mentored.
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