How teams, athletes, and leagues have remembered Kobe and Gigi Bryant in the year since their tragic death

Meredith CashJan 27, 2021, 04:02 IST

The sports world has commemorated the Lakers legend and his daughter - a future basketball star in her own right - in the year since their death.Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images

One year ago today, Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, and seven others were killed in a tragic helicopter crash.
Athletes, teams, and leagues have found ways to remember the late Lakers legend and Gigi — a future basketball star in her own right — ever since.
Here's how Kobe and Gigi Bryant have been honored across the sports world in the year since their untimely death.

On January 26, 2020, the world lost one bona fide legend and another still to come.

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

That morning, Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, and seven others died in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California.

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Here's how the sports world has commemorated "The Black Mamba" and "Mambacita" in the year since that unforgettably tragic day.

Kobe Bryant with his daughter Gianna at the WNBA All Star Game at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas in July 2019. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY via Reuters

Immediately after the accident, former teammates, basketball titans, and superstars across the sports world took to social media to express their grief.

REUTERS/Jim Young

Michael Jordan shared a heart-wrenching statement following his protégé's passing.

Sue Ogrocki/Reuters

And LeBron James was visibly distraught while boarding the Lakers' team plane.

AP Photo/Danny Moloshok,

And he posted an emotional tribute to the late legend.

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Later, he and Anthony Davis got matching "Black Mamba" tattoos in Bryant's honor.

Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

He even made an impassioned speech before the Lakers' first game following Kobe's death.

AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo

The Lakers' video tribute that night left many at the Staples Center with misty eyes.

AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu

And the franchise left two court-side seats open - with the Bryants' jerseys draped over the backs and flowers on the seats - to honor the pair.

AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo

Lakers great Magic Johnson saluted both of Bryant's jersey numbers for their beloved team - 8 and 24 - upon Kobe's passing.

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

And Lakers owner Jeanie Buss called Bryant "family."

David Livingston/Getty Images

Former Lakers teammate Lamar Odom didn't even know how to sign his own checks before Kobe taught him.

REUTERS/Robert Galbraith

Shaq was gutted.

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

And like many others, Dwyane Wade described feeling as though the Bryants' death was a "bad dream."

Lynne Sladky/AP Images

Fellow NBA great Tracy McGrady recalled that Kobe used to muse about wanting to "die young."

REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson LN/CN

After learning of Bryant's death while playing, Tiger Woods said it was "one of the more tragic days."

AP Photo/Ryan Kang

And in the following days, teams across the NBA paid tribute to "The Black Mamba" through moments of silence, special gear, and more.

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs intentionally let the shot clock run out to start their January 26 game in honor of Bryant's No. 24 jersey.

Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

And gamers followed suit in "NBA 2K20."

Dan Steinberg/Invision for NBA 2K/AP Images

Madison Square Garden - the most famous arena in basketball - glowed purple and gold to honor Bryant.

Rainmaker Photos/MediaPunch/IPX/AP Images

Fans held impromptu memorials across the country.

REUTERS/Kyle Grillot

And his Nike merch sold out shortly after the news of his death broke.

AP Photo/Bullit Marquez

PSG star Neymar dedicated a goal to Kobe.

AP Photo/Michel Spingler

Tennis star Nick Kyrgios arrived at his Australian Open match against Rafael Nadal the day after Kobe's death wearing his No. 8 Lakers jersey.

AP Photo/Lee Jin-man

And 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic teared up on the court as he reflected on Bryant's mentorship role in his life.

AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

But Kobe wasn't the only Bryant receiving tributes.

AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker

UCONN women's basketball - the team Gigi so desperately hoped to play for someday - honored the late 13-year-old with a jersey and flowers on their bench.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Her school retired her No. 2 jersey.

Jessica Hill/AP Images

And Gigi became an honorary draftee - along with two of her Mamba Academy teammates who died alongside her - in the 2020 WNBA Draft.

The father-daughter duo was honored together at The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant on February 24, 2020.

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, Jimmy Kimmel, Geno Auriemma, and Vanessa Bryant spoke, while Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera performed.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, Jimmy Kimmel, Geno Auriemma, and Vanessa Bryant spoke, while Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera performed.

Kobe, Gigi, and the other victims were honored at the Super Bowl.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

And the "Girl Dad" movement became mainstream after a video of Kobe explaining how much he loved raising daughters went viral.

REUTERS/Mike Blake

But even after the initial shock of their tragic death wore off, Kobe's legacy had a lingering impact on individual athletes.

Getty/Wally Skalij

USWNT superstar Carli Lloyd said she feels better about her eventual retirement because she watched Kobe thrive after his NBA days.

AP Photo/Steve Luciano

Tiger Woods honored Kobe by flicking his wrist after sinking a 24-foot, 8-inch putt at the Genesis Invitational.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady said Kobe helped inspire him to continue his NFL career into his 40s.

Gerry Broome/AP Images

WNBA GOAT Diana Taurasi had her most impressive game in years on Kobe Bryant's birthday while wearing his name and number.

Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

And Seattle Storm star Jewell Loyd - who counts herself as one of Kobe's many mentees - gave a heartfelt tribute in his honor after winning the 2020 WNBA championship.

Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports

When the Lakers won the 2020 NBA Finals, tributes to Bryant came pouring in.

Mark J. Terrill/AP Images

Including a particularly impactful one from Los Angeles guard Quinn Cook.

Quinn Cook cries as the Lakers honor Kobe and Gigi Bryant in the team's first game back at the Staples Center following their tragic deaths. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

And during her remarkable 2020 US Open run, Naomi Osaka wore Kobe's Lakers jersey after every single match she played.

Twitter/ESPN

Osaka later told Insider that Kobe is someone who "gives me strength" even a full year after his death.

REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine TMS/SV/Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe's next chapter would have been spent elevating the women's game. Check out why recognition for WNBA players is past due:

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

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How teams, athletes, and leagues have remembered Kobe and Gigi Bryant in the year since their tragic death

On January 26, 2020, the world lost one bona fide legend and another still to come.

That morning, Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, and seven others died in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California.

Here's how the sports world has commemorated "The Black Mamba" and "Mambacita" in the year since that unforgettably tragic day.

Immediately after the accident, former teammates, basketball titans, and superstars across the sports world took to social media to express their grief.

Michael Jordan shared a heart-wrenching statement following his protégé's passing.

And LeBron James was visibly distraught while boarding the Lakers' team plane.

And he posted an emotional tribute to the late legend.

Later, he and Anthony Davis got matching "Black Mamba" tattoos in Bryant's honor.

He even made an impassioned speech before the Lakers' first game following Kobe's death.

The Lakers' video tribute that night left many at the Staples Center with misty eyes.

And the franchise left two court-side seats open - with the Bryants' jerseys draped over the backs and flowers on the seats - to honor the pair.

Lakers great Magic Johnson saluted both of Bryant's jersey numbers for their beloved team - 8 and 24 - upon Kobe's passing.

And Lakers owner Jeanie Buss called Bryant "family."

Former Lakers teammate Lamar Odom didn't even know how to sign his own checks before Kobe taught him.

Shaq was gutted.

And like many others, Dwyane Wade described feeling as though the Bryants' death was a "bad dream."

Fellow NBA great Tracy McGrady recalled that Kobe used to muse about wanting to "die young."

After learning of Bryant's death while playing, Tiger Woods said it was "one of the more tragic days."

And in the following days, teams across the NBA paid tribute to "The Black Mamba" through moments of silence, special gear, and more.

The Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs intentionally let the shot clock run out to start their January 26 game in honor of Bryant's No. 24 jersey.

And gamers followed suit in "NBA 2K20."

Madison Square Garden - the most famous arena in basketball - glowed purple and gold to honor Bryant.

Fans held impromptu memorials across the country.

And his Nike merch sold out shortly after the news of his death broke.

PSG star Neymar dedicated a goal to Kobe.

Tennis star Nick Kyrgios arrived at his Australian Open match against Rafael Nadal the day after Kobe's death wearing his No. 8 Lakers jersey.

And 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic teared up on the court as he reflected on Bryant's mentorship role in his life.

But Kobe wasn't the only Bryant receiving tributes.

UCONN women's basketball - the team Gigi so desperately hoped to play for someday - honored the late 13-year-old with a jersey and flowers on their bench.

Her school retired her No. 2 jersey.

And Gigi became an honorary draftee - along with two of her Mamba Academy teammates who died alongside her - in the 2020 WNBA Draft.

The father-daughter duo was honored together at The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant on February 24, 2020.

Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, Jimmy Kimmel, Geno Auriemma, and Vanessa Bryant spoke, while Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera performed.

Kobe, Gigi, and the other victims were honored at the Super Bowl.

And the "Girl Dad" movement became mainstream after a video of Kobe explaining how much he loved raising daughters went viral.

But even after the initial shock of their tragic death wore off, Kobe's legacy had a lingering impact on individual athletes.

USWNT superstar Carli Lloyd said she feels better about her eventual retirement because she watched Kobe thrive after his NBA days.

Tiger Woods honored Kobe by flicking his wrist after sinking a 24-foot, 8-inch putt at the Genesis Invitational.

Tom Brady said Kobe helped inspire him to continue his NFL career into his 40s.

WNBA GOAT Diana Taurasi had her most impressive game in years on Kobe Bryant's birthday while wearing his name and number.

And Seattle Storm star Jewell Loyd - who counts herself as one of Kobe's many mentees - gave a heartfelt tribute in his honor after winning the 2020 WNBA championship.

When the Lakers won the 2020 NBA Finals, tributes to Bryant came pouring in.

Including a particularly impactful one from Los Angeles guard Quinn Cook.

And during her remarkable 2020 US Open run, Naomi Osaka wore Kobe's Lakers jersey after every single match she played.

Osaka later told Insider that Kobe is someone who "gives me strength" even a full year after his death.

Kobe's next chapter would have been spent elevating the women's game. Check out why recognition for WNBA players is past due: