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Kobe Bryant's name will be immortalized in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia, as the Lakers legend is set to have an entire square named in his honor, according to a report from Eurohoops.net.
Bryant, who died tragically in a helicopter crash on Sunday at the age of 41, spent portions of his childhood in Reggio Emilia, as his father played professionally in Italy. The city's mayor, Luca Vecchi, announced that the new square in front of Via Guasco, where a basketball gym is located, will be named after the Lakers great and five-time NBA champion.
“Kobe was one of us: here, and in the city playgrounds, he organized games with athletes older than himself, with schoolmates. While his father was a star in the basketball main team, Kobe grew up in the youth sector of Pallacanestro Reggiana. His smile, his love for basketball entered inside us and a bit of Reggio Emilia had entered inside him forever, as he had told us a few years ago returning to our city, which he called “home”. Rest in peace Kobe, Reggio Emilia will not forget you,” Vecchi wrote via Facebook.
As a sign of their unending love and gratitude, mourning Lakers fans set up a memorial of sorts for Bryant outside Staples Center shortly after news of his passing was made public:
Fans gathered around a makeshift memorial outside of the Staples Center after learning of Kobe Bryant’s death.
“He’s Los Angeles, he’s everything. With the Lakers, he was a great champion, and he continued to take it to another level. This is trying to repay him.” pic.twitter.com/NA7IFk8iAZ
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 26, 2020
A five-time champion and 18-time All-Star, Bryant will be remembered as one of the greatest players the NBA has ever known. The Lakers legend was taken from this world far too soon, but the memories he left behind will live on.
Join us in sending condolences to the families involved in this tragic accident.
