Celebrities Remember Kobe Bryant Two Years After Basketball Icon Was Killed in Helicopter Crash
Celebrities and the basketball world are remembering NBA legend Kobe Bryant on the second anniversary of his death.
Wednesday marks two years since the helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, that killed Kobe, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna and seven others: John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and pilot Ara Zobayan. The group was on their way to a youth basketball game.
Across social media, many fans and friends of Kobe posted heartfelt tributes to commemorate his life, and the life of his daughter.
Singer Ciara posted a photo in a Kobe jersey, writing, “Forever & Always in our hearts Kobe & Gigi
#2 #24 ❤️ Love you @VanessaBryant @NataliaBryant,” and tagging Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, and their oldest daughter, Natalia Bryant.
Kobe’s former teammate Lamar Odom posted footage of a Kobe and Gianna pendant he said his management group had made for him. Alongside the video, Odom wrote, “To understand that Kobe meant the world to me and have this made as a constant reminder for me to keep going has me at loss for words.”
He also wrote in a tribute that “not a day goes by without thinking of you my brother @kobebryant. To vanessabryant and the family, I love you all! I have been taking on everyday with the #mambamentality and it has helped me remain focused and accomplish different goals I have set for myself. Bean showed me what greatness takes ! So I am taking it!”
Former basketball star Vince Carter wrote, “I’m thankful to see another year of life but it’s really tough to celebrate when the world lost a great human being on this same day. Rest well Kobe the world is truly missing a great one.”
Others, like Gabrielle Union and Russell Wilson, posted tributes on their Instagram Story.
Ultimately, Kobe spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers after being drafted out of high school in 1996 (he was originally selected by the Charlotte Hornets). He retired from the NBA in 2016.
The Lakers then retired both of Kobe’s jersey numbers, No. 8 and No. 24, a year later in December 2017.
