SP-1 LASENTINEL.NET SPECIAL EDITION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020 AP Photo CLUTCHPOINTS PHOTO A-6 LOS ANGELES SENTINEL NEWS THURSDAY,JANUARY 9, 2014 BY AMANDA SCURLOCK chises alike. The Phila- game and the team was fea- As a young child, he Sports Writer delphia Eagles stated that tured on the cover of Slam would watch his father play Bryant was “A champion Magazine in March 2019. basketball and try to emu- Bryant worked with late his moves. The family various WNBA and NBA returned to Philadelphia in athletes, including L.A. 1991 and Bryant returned Sparks’ Candace Parker and speaking fluent Italian. Al- Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard. though he felt out of place the names of all the victims Kobe Bryant day. In De- written on her shoes for the cember 2017, The Lakers match up. retired his no. 8 and no. 24 The Los Angeles area, for the ages,” Tiger Woods Angelino Lakers fans jerseys. nation and world mourns lauded him for his domi- the loss of NBA icon Kobe nance on both sides of the Bean Bryant, 41, and his court, Doc Rivers fought basketball prodigy daugh- back tears when they spoke ter Gianna Maria Onore, of the tragic loss. were left reeling, gather- There was no better way ing at the Staples Center to to see his talent and vigor mourn in unison one of the than through basketball 13. They were two of nine During the Clippers’ greatest players to ever play highlights of Gianna, whom people who passed away away game against the Or- basketball. Among them he nicknamed “Mambacita” in a helicopter accident on lando Magic on Sunday, was Lakers point guard and recently got the nick- Sunday. the Clippers committed a Quinn Cook, who had been name trademarked. She was The Lakers consulted 24-second shot clock vio- a fan of Bryant and the Lak- ready to carry the family Both Kobe and Gianna at the schools he went to, he with the League to postpone lation and the Magic com- ers growing up. legacy into the next genera- were passionate about Bas- excelled on the hardwood at Inside the Staples Cen- tion. They were fans of the ketball, Gianna was des- Lower Merion High school. ter on Sunday was the UCONN women’s basket- Grammy’s where tributes to ball team and attended their their home game against the mitted an eight-second back Clippers that was to hap- court violation for Kobe. pen last Tuesday as the loss The world of basketball shattered the NBA world. also honored Gianna, the Kobe, Gianna and the other games. seven victims took main Kobe and Gianna could stage. R&B icons Boys II be seen on the courtside of Men and Alicia Keys sang WNBA, NBA and college “It’s so Hard to Say Good- games. Kobe mentioned bye to Yesterday.” Boys II in an interview how Gi- tined for the greatness that Kobe played varsity all Men were in attendance anna requested to attend Kobe achieved. four years at Lower Mer- News of his passing per- UConn women’s basketball when Kobe made his an- the WNBA Finals in 2016 In August 23, 1978, ion and spent most of his meated beyond the NBA team put a no. 2 jersey and a nouncement of foregoing when the L.A. Sparks bat- Kobe Bean Bryant was time working on his craft. with Green Bay Packers bouquet of white flowers on college to play in the NBA tled the Minnesota Lynx. born to professional athlete This led to him making 18 linebacker Za-Darius Smith Kobe also coached Gi- Joe “Jelly bean” Bryant and points per game as a fresh- honoring his life with a fade anna’s AAU basketball Pam Cox-Bryant in Phila- man and 22 points per away jumper celebration team the Mambas and delphia. He was the young- game as a sophomore. By during the NFL Pro Bowl. posted her highlights on so- est of three, with two older the end of his senior sea- The news spread oversees cial media. One shows her sisters Sharia and Shaya. At son, Kobe was the all-time where Neymar da Silva leading scorer in Southeast- Santos Junior of the Paris ern Pennsylvania history Saint-German football club with 2,883 points. He was dedicated his second goal to named the Naismith High Bryant during a game. School Player of the Year, Before his Australian Gatorade Circle of Champi- Open match against Rafael ons High School Player of Nadal, tennis player Nick the Year and helped Lower Kyrgios wore a Lakers no. 8 Merion the Class AAAA jersey. Altanta Hawks guard state championship. Trae Young changed his jer- He soon declared for the sey number to eight during 1996 NBA Draft where the his game against the Wash- Charlotte Hornets acquired ington Wizards. On Twit- him as the 13th overall ter, he reminisced on how pick. The Lakers offered Gianna told him he was her a seat in their bench ahead 24 years ago at Lower Charlotte Vlade Divac for favorite player to watch. of their match up against Merion High School in Kobe that same night and Thoughts prayers and the Team USA women’s Ardmore,PA. Kobe was doing a press Since his retirement, conference at the Forum the many news stories con- next day. sisted on Bryant passing his Bryant made the All- wisdom on in a myriad of Rookie Second Team and ways, including through his was a contestant in the Slam ESPN+ show “Detail” and Dunk Contest. He was scor- his book “Mamba Mental- ing 15.4 points per game ity.” He created the Mamba his second season. By his League in conjunction with fourth season, Bryant was the Boys and Girls Club and a reliable scorer and came founded the Mamba Sports in second on the team in Academy. He also won points per average. The an Oscar for the animated shooting a fadeaway jump- the age of six, Kobe trav- Lakers had 67-15 record short “Dear Basketball.” er, her father’s trademark eled with his family to live and were on their way to In August 2016, the shot that masses of oppo- in Italy so Joe can pursue winning their first champi- condolences came from basketball team. WNBA Los Angeles City Council nents could not guard. He his basketball career over- See ICON SP-7 known athletes and fran- star Breanna Stewart had declared August 24 to be admired her curiosity of the seas. { } SP-3 LASENTINEL.NET SPECIAL EDITION THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020 Quotes on the Passing of Kobe and Gianna Bryant Kobe Bryant, his daughter as a man who was much Gianna and the other seven more than an athlete. passengers aboard the heli- Everyone at Lakernation is copter. It’s going to take all mourning with the rest of of us some time to process the world the death of one the tremendous loss of life of the greatest players & that occurred on Sunday. I human beings we all have send my deepest and heart- ever known... so I just felt condolences to the fam- wanted to share a couple of ilies of all who were killed. my memories of Kobe.” We named August 24 — Kareem Abdul-Jab- ‘Kobe Bryant Day’ in bar honor of the greatness he achieved not just on the “To see him with his court but off. The pride of ic and sad moment of los- young daughter and the our city and a role model to ing my niece Gigi & my attention he paid to them … children around the world, friend, my brother, my part- getting involved with the ‘Mamba Mentality’ will ner in winning champi- women’s basketball and live on forever. We’re pray- onships, my dude and my growing the sport. This was “Kobe was a legend on championships, was twice lief by the tragic passing of ing for Kobe’s wife Vanes- homie. I love you and you a man for all seasons. He the court and just getting named the MVP of the such a prolific athlete, sa, their three other children started in what would have NBA Finals, and earned the devoted husband, and lov- and all of the families been just as meaningful a NBA’s MVP award. Fans ing father. My heart goes involved.” second act. To lose Gianna out to his wife, Vanessa, — L.A. City Council- is even more heartbreaking surviving children, rela- man Herb Wesson to us as parents. Michelle tives, teammates, and and I send love and prayers friends who are in mourn- “Kobe Bryant was a to Vanessa and the entire ing. I also extend my sin- Los Angeles icon. He was- Bryant family on an cere condolences to the n’t just talented— he was unthinkable day.” — President Barack Obama “I am absolutely devas- tated and heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss around the world marveled will be missed. My condo- was more than an iconic of Kobe Bryant and his at his skills on the court lences goes out to the basketball player. He was beloved daughter Gianna. season after season. He was Bryant family and the fam- someone who inspired mil- Kobe Bryant was a king in truly spectacular to watch. ilies of the other passengers lions of fans. For me, this is on board. IM SICK RIGHT a God-awful day.” NOW!” — Jerry West — Shaquille O’Neal “I’m Not Ready but “As I try to write this here I go. Man I sitting here post, my mind is racing.