Today is a sad day for not just the NBA, but for the entire sports community.
Kobe Bryant died earlier today in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
Bryant was going to his daughter Gianna’s travel basketball game of his daughter. Bryant was one of five who died in the crash, with the others being his daughter Gianna, a pilot, another basketball player and their parent.
Bryant was selected 13th in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets and was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent all of his entire 20 year career. In his final game, Bryant scored 60 points, capping off a legendary career. Bryant was arguably the best basketball player of all time, accumulating 33,643 points (fourth all-time), 1,827 3 pointers made, 1,944 steals, over 1,346 games, all ranked first in Lakers’ record books. He also had 6,206 assists, ranked second in Lakers’ record books. Bryant’s impact to the game is unmeasurable not only to each and every player but to front offices as well.
Kobe is the only person in NBA History to have two number’s retired by the same team.
The Field2Court Community gives their thoughts to the Bryant, unnamed pilot and other player families. Those that died in the helicopter crash will truly be missed.
UPDATE (6:26 PM): It has been confirmed that nine people died in the crash, four more flyers than the previous total.
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Jack Zeidel is an editor and writer for Field2Court in all sports.
